TOMS RIVER – Toms River is offering micro-enterprise grants to help small businesses get established in the township.
The grants target small businesses who help employ low- to moderate-income persons.
“To be eligible for this program, applicants must be a new or existing commercial enterprise that employs five or fewer employees, at least one of whom owns the enterprise. The enterprise must have its principal business operation in Toms River Township, and must be organized as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other recognized form of business. The individual applicant and business enterprise must be current on all federal, state and local tax obligations. A business with more than five individuals is not eligible. Businesses that do not have a low/moderate income owner or that do not provide 51 percent of new jobs to low/moderate income workers are also not eligible even if they consist of five individuals or less. Applicants should note that HUD income guidelines apply. Applicants need not be low- or moderate-income persons themselves, but they must satisfactorily demonstrate that assistance will result in expanded employment for low- and moderate-income persons,” the program requirements said.
Eligible businesses may be reimbursed up to $5,000. Other restrictions apply.
Applications can be picked up at the Division of Community Development at 33 Main St. or Toms River Business Improvement District at 218 Main St.
Applications can also be downloaded at tomsrivertownship.com or downtowntomsriver.com.
Applications are due July 19. Businesses will be notified of their acceptance or rejection in August.
For more information, contact Erika Stahl, Assistant Township Planner with the Toms River Division of Community Development, at 732-341-1000 ext. 8356 or estahl@tomsrivertownship.com
Potential/existing businesses located in or looking to locate in the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District can call Nick Zorojew, BID Director, at 732-341-8738.
