The new Small Business Manual from the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) is designed to provide support and guidance for small business owners and entrepreneurs. This free resource offers a wealth of information on planning, launching, operating, and growing your business in New Jersey.

The manual covers essential topics such as writing a business plan, financing your business, registering with the state, obtaining licenses and certifications, navigating taxes, hiring employees, and much more.

‍

Businesses and nonprofits can apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 to improve food security for residents of the Atlantic City/Ventnor Food Desert Community. Grant recipients will bring nutritious food options to the city as residents await the construction of a full-fledged supermarket. Applications are due by May 15th, 2024.

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.

‍

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.

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.