Find important resources on grants, low interest loans, and important legislative updates for small business owners from Main Street America, Metuchen Downtown Alliance, and The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce.
Small Business Grants
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits through their Small Business Grants Program. Learn more.
The James Beard Foundation is launching a fund that will be gathering support from corporate, foundation, and individual donors to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need. Learn more.
Opportunity Fund, which specializes in money lending to small businesses owned by women, immigrants and people of color, is collaborating with investors and nonprofits to put together a coronavirus relief fund that will provide grants and low-interest rate loans. Learn more.
Go Fund Me has established a relief fund to help small businesses. Learn more.
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has launched Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. The campaign associated with the fund will raise money to give one-time $500 grants to impacted workers as soon as April. Learn more.
JPMorgan pledged $50 million global philanthropic commitment to support communities and people hit hardest by this public health crisis, including $2 million to existing nonprofit partners and $8 million to assist small businesses. Learn more.
The NJ EDA recently announced $40 million of grants and loans, with a special focus helping smaller Main Street type businesses, including $5 million for service businesses. Learn more.
Loan Programs
The US Chamber of Commerce has put forth a useful information piece on available loans. Learn more.
The Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses. Learn more.
MainVest, a crowdfunding platform, announced its new Main Street Initiative: a $2,000, zero-interest, 120 day loan for restaurants or other brick and mortars affected by the shutdown. Learn more.
The Small Business Administration has announced numerous loan programs for those affected by Covid-19. Learn more.
The NJ EDA recently announced $40 million of grants and loans, with a special focus helping smaller Main Street type businesses, including $5 million for service businesses. Learn more.
The Micro Business Loan Program makes financing of up to $50,000 available to for-profit businesses legally registered to do business in New Jersey, with a business location in New Jersey (home-based businesses are not eligible), who have annual revenues in the most current fiscal year of no more than $1,500,000, and 10 full-time employees or less at time of application. Learn more.
Kiva has expanded its microfinance loan programs with 0% interest loans to US Businesses. Learn more.
Legislative Action
Main Street America continues to advocate for small businesses, micro-businesses, and entrepreneurs. We encourage you to sign on to amplify the need for immediate, direct support for Main Street-scale businesses through key policy initiatives. Learn more.
Members of Congress need to hear directly from you! Share Your Story! Make sure to add #GrantsNotLoans
- Click to Tweet: “My Biz is losing revenue FAST. We need #GrantsNotLoans to #KeepMainStreetWorking @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer @SenateMajLdr”
- Click to Tweet: “I want to keep my employees on, but can’t take on any more debt. I need #GrantsNotLoans to #KeepMainStreetWorking @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer @Senatemajldr”
- Click to Tweet: “Here’s why Loans won’t work for my #smallbiz – I need #GrantsNotLoans to #KeepMainStreetWorking @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer @Senatemajldr”
NJ’s share of the Federal Stimulus bill is $3.4 Billion. Encourage your NJ Legislators to ensure that small businesses are considered in how these monies are deployed.
- District 18 Senator Patrick Diegnan: 908-757-1677
- District 18 Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin: 732-548-1406
- District 18 Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak: 732-548-1407
- Find your legislator. Learn more.
Dear {legislator’s name},
Please take care of small and family businesses in your legislative effort. We need:
- unemployment cash benefits for business owners
- fast-tracked zero interest forgivable loans and grants
- any measures to bring immediate cash flow to our businesses
My business is {your business name or type}. I have been in business for {number} years. I had to layoff {number} employees. {Briefly include any other pertinent details about this has affected your business}.
Please support us in Trenton.
Sincerely, {your name}
