Financing and incentive programs for small/mid-sized businesses
Recent Regulations and Resources
Access: Access is a pilot lending program that provides financing to small businesses in New Jersey - either in the form of direct loans through EDA, or through loan participations/guarantees in partnership with an EDA Premier Lenders.
Access is different from other EDA financing programs in that it provides greater flexibility to borrowers by placing greater emphasis on the borrower's cash flow and less emphasis on hard collateral.
Premier Lender: The Premier Lender Program creates new opportunities for small businesses and NJEDA’s lending partners by providing low-costs financing opportunities with faster turnaround.
Direct Loans: New Jersey businesses in need of financing and committed to job creation/retention may be eligible for direct loans through the NJEDA when conventional financing is not available.
Small Business Fund: Creditworthy small, minority-owned or women-owned businesses in New Jersey may be eligible for assistance under the Small Business Fund.
Small Business Lease Assistance Program: The Small Business Lease Assistance Program offers reimbursement of a percentage of annual lease payments to for profit businesses and non-profit organizations in eligible areas that plan to lease between 500 – 5,000 s.f. of new or additional market-rate, first-floor office, industrial or retail space for a minimum 5-year term.
Premier CDFI Program: Through the Premier CDFI Program, the NJEDA can provide small businesses with loan participations, loan guarantees, and line of credit guarantees in partnership with designated Premier Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program: The Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program is a collaboration with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) that provides a comprehensive series of classes, workshops, and strategic counseling sessions covering a variety of topics relevant to small businesses in all sectors, including bonding and insurance, business development, financial presentation, construction and contract law, construction management, estimating, and credit. At the end of the program, all participating businesses receive a Bonding Readiness Segment Report, which provides an in-depth assessment of their strengths and weaknesses to help them plan for the future.
The NJEDAcan also can put you in contact with Microlenders and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), or provide technical assistance.
