Jersey City

Jersey City Economic Development Corporation & The 504 Company to Award$25,000 in Grants to Local Small Businesses During Second Round of Competition

Competition Highlights Fulop Administration’s commitment to supporting local small businesses to ensure the long-term growth of the local economy

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today that the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation in partnership with The 504 Company is conducting its second round of the Jersey City Business Acceleration Program, a privately-funded grant competition for Jersey City small businesses that demonstrate the distinct potential for growth. A total of $25,000 in grants will be awarded to two small businesses as well as business assistance services. The first place winner will receive $15,000 and the second place winner will receive $10,000.

“Since our administration took office four years ago, we have made it a major priority to ensure Jersey City is driven by locally-owned small business owners who make a meaningful impact on our community every day,” said Mayor Fulop. “These grants are a way to help a business get off the ground, build a customer base and grow job opportunities.”

Launched in 2015, The Jersey City Fund is managed by The 504 Company, a nonprofit entity authorized by the U.S. Small Business Administration to administer loan programs including the SBA 504 and Community Advantage loan programs. The $10 million dollar loan fund will provide SBA Community Advantage loans between $25,000 and $250,000 to small businesses and start-ups, helping local entrepreneurs and creating good jobs in Jersey City. The winning business will be selected by a panel of judges based on growth plans that show growth potential and a clearly expressed plan to achieve that potential.

Last year’s winners included, Milk Sugar Love Inc., a retail ice cream shop which offers a selection of baked goods and coffee and Hermi Enterprises LLC which specializes in the creation of professional visual advertising products that include commercial signage for buildings, awnings, electric/neon boxes and billboards.

“Winning $15,000 was a heaven-sent boost to my business,” said Herminio Mendoza, Owner of Hermi Signs and Awnings. “We were able to sub-contract work to community businesses to help with increased demands, as well as cover the transportation and installation of finished work. We saw an increase in production by over 40 percent and our customer base was also increased by just as much. It also increased my ability to give back to my community and my beloved city of Jersey City.”