Learn about tax credits and fair housing at a two-day course from the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, May 16-17th, 2024 in Hamilton. The cost is $430. Register by April 19th, 2024. Contact Johanna Peña at jpena@njhmfa.gov with questions. This training is a two-day refresher course designed for those who are already Tax Credit Certified.

Proposed new rules will regulate single-use plastic and paper bags and polystyrene foam food service products to better protect our environment. Businesses and residents are invited to participate in the rules process through an upcoming public hearing on May 1st, 2024. 

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather best practices and address challenges in developing an Employee Ownership program. Businesses, Employee-Owned entities, researchers, and anyone with relevant experience, including experts outside of New Jersey, are welcome to provide input.

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Access financial, mentoring, and technical support for your business at a Resources for Growth event at High Tech High School in Secaucus, Hudson County on April 3rd, 2024. More than 40 exhibitors will offer detailed information on a wealth of resources and programs designed to boost your business growth. Free registration is required.

Existing investors supporting early-stage, innovation-focused companies in New Jersey can receive guarantees on their loans from the NJ Entrepreneur Support Program. The program provides guarantees at 80% of the loan amount totaling a maximum of $500,000 to a company on investor loans advanced for working capital to businesses.

Completed applications from investors and the company for guarantees will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, including the ability to consider multiple guarantees per company towards the $400,000 company exposure cap.

Please review the program website at www.njeda.com/njesp for further information and to determine your eligibility for the program.

Faith and community-based organizations (FBCOs) can leverage several grant programs offered by the New Jersey Office of Faith-Based Initiatives (OFBI) to enhance their services and reach within the community.

Freedom School Planning Grants: These grants aid organizations in the planning stages of establishing NJ Freedom Schools. The funding supports efforts to assess organizational capacity, build infrastructure, recruit certified teachers, and develop parent-focused educational resources. Organizations must form a Freedom School Leadership Team to guide the planning process and engage in mandatory OFBI training.

Social Enterprise Entrepreneurship Development (SE2D) Project: SE2D offers two types of grants: 'Growth' for existing social ventures looking to expand and 'Start-up' for new ventures in the early stages of development. Growth grants require ventures to be revenue-generating and in operation for 1-3 years, while Start-up grants focus on intensive training and business plan development.

Special Projects: This category includes:

• Civic and Community Engagement: Projects that educate residents on effective community collaboration and advocacy, with activities like organizing training and immigration services.
• Food Security: Projects supporting organizations providing consistent food services at least four times a week to reduce food insecurity.
• Services to Seniors: Projects that support aging in place, preventing isolation, and improving the quality of life for low-income seniors.

Social Innovation: This category includes:

• College Readiness: Help students aged 16-25 gain access to college or trade schools, covering costs like application fees and arranging college tours.
• Trade Skills Readiness: Educate and provide access to trade schools and apprenticeships for individuals aged 16-30, including paid internships and trade fairs.
• Youth Entrepreneurship: Develop entrepreneurial skills in middle and high school students and provide startup capital for their business ideas.
• S.T.E.A.M.: Encourage at-risk youth to explore careers in STEM fields through hands-on experience and education in low-income communities.

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Project ATLAS: This capacity-building program offers grants, technical assistance, and coaching to strengthen the sustainability of FBCOs. It focuses on enhancing organizational viability and the capacity to provide quality social services. The program involves forming a leadership team, working with a coach to develop sustainability assessments, and implementing a pilot project based on community needs.

How to Apply

An organized application supported by documentation helps OFBI evaluate your project more quickly. Here’s a quick overview of submitting a successful application.

1. Confirm Your Eligibility: Verify your organization's eligibility as a non-profit Faith and/or Community-Based Organization serving low-income residents, with the necessary tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Your organization must be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs and the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Confirm that you have a current Charity Registration Number, Business Revenue Number, and good standing with the Business Service Center.
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2. Document Preparation: Collect all required documentation, including the IRS Determination Letter and Certificate of Incorporation.
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3. Participate in Training: Attend the OFBI's technical assistance training webinars for insight into the grant application process.
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4. Application Submission: Complete the application via the System for Administering Grants Electronically (SAGE) before the deadline.
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5. Develop a Comprehensive Proposal: Draft a detailed proposal that includes an overview of your organization, a project summary that aligns with the OFBI's mission, and a clear depiction of organizational capacity.
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6. Highlight Potential Partnerships: While not required, if applicable, describe any collaborative relationships that could enhance your project's reach and effectiveness.
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7. Outline Project Details: Provide a thorough description of your project, including design, target population, project goals, and methods of evaluation.
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8. Ready Post-Award Actions: If awarded, be prepared to engage in necessary communication, adhere to reporting schedules, and fulfill all post-award requirements as outlined by the OFBI.

Applications are due February 23rd, 2024 at 4:00pm.

Residential and commercial developers can learn about financing options and tools at a Project Finance Workshop at Thomas Edison State University in Trenton on February 27th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuition is $50.

Artists, arts organizations, and similar entities can inform the development of funding solutions and programs to support the arts and culture sector.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) wants to better understand the challenges faced by arts and culture businesses, institutions, and entrepreneurs in accessing capital with a request for information.

Submit your response in writing via email to ArtsCulture@njeda.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on February 13th, 2024. The email subject line should state: "RFI Response-2023-RFI-193 Capital for Arts & Culture".

A new law provides breweries, distilleries, and other craft beverage manufacturers with additional operational flexibility. Here are the key provisions:

• Outdoor Service: Craft manufacturers can now serve alcohol outdoors with the approval of the local municipality.
• Onsite and Off-Premises Events: License holders are permitted to hold unlimited onsite events and up to 25 off-premises events per year without needing additional permits for each event.
• Production Cap: The annual production limit for holders of restricted brewery licenses has been raised to 300,000 barrels.
• Food Vendor Partnerships: Craft manufacturers are allowed to form partnerships with food vendors, provided that the operations of the craft manufacturer and the food vendor are conducted independently.
• Snack and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sales: Manufacturers are now authorized to sell pre-packaged snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Televised Events: Showing televised events on the premises no longer requires special permits for craft manufacturers.
• Merchandise Sales: The sale of merchandise related to the craft manufacturer, such as branded apparel, is now permitted.

The prior requirement for educational tours as a condition for on-premises sales has been removed. For complete details on how these changes could affect your craft beverage business, please refer to the full text of the legislation or seek professional legal advice.

Starting August 1st, 2024, New Jersey liquor license holders should be aware of new provisions affecting inactive licenses. An inactive license is one that hasn't been used for two consecutive license terms. To prevent expiration, license holders must either use their inactive license or transfer it. Municipalities may offer a one-year extension to this period.

License holders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the options for activating or transferring their licenses to avoid forfeiture. Detailed information on these processes is available here, providing guidance on how to navigate the new law and maintain your license.