Business Financing

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NJEDA Grant Programs:

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority provides small businesses with a number of different grant programs. These programs include the following:

Main Street Recovery Grant Program:

Small Business Lease Assistance Grant: A $10 million program that will provide grants to businesses entering new or amended leases with at least five-year terms that include at least 250 square feet of street-level space. This grant funding will offset a portion of annual lease payments for two years. Click here for more information.
Small Business Improvement Grant: A $15 million program that will provide grants up to $50,000 to reimburse businesses for a portion of costs associated with improvements and/or the purchase or installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment since March 9, 2020. Click here for more information.
Small Business E-Commerce Support Program: A $4 million program that provides up to $11,400 to the New Jersey small businesses in the restaurant, retail, and personal care industries that operate from a commercial location. For more information, or to ask a specific question, please send an email to EcommerceSupport@njeda.gov and a team member will contact you.

NJEDA Financing Programs:

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority offers multiple different financing programs. These programs include the following:

Small Business Fund: Funding is up to $500,000 for this this New Jersey based small business revenue generating program. This program can be used for at least one full year with revenue less than or equal to $3 million; nonprofits in operation for at least 3 full years. For more details on eligibility click here.
Direct Loans: Funding is up to $2 million dollars in this program based around small business in NJ. New Jersey based small businesses in operation for two years, have been reporting a profit, and are committed to job creation and/or retention in New Jersey may be eligible for direct loans through the NJEDA. For more details on eligibility click here.
Premier Lender Program: With funding up to $2 million this program partners with banks to ensure that New Jersey businesses and communities have the necessary resources for growth and expansion at their disposal. For more details about eligibility click here.
NJ Capital Access Fund: With funding up to $250,000 the NJ Capital Access Fund allows for access to loans and support from experienced nonprofit lenders. This provides working capital with fixed interest rates and flexible spending guidelines. It also includes no specific collateral and no minimum credit score requirements. For more information about eligibility click here.
Main Street Acquisition Support Grant: With reimbursements up to $50,000 the Main Street Acquisition Support Grant reimburses eligible New Jersey small businesses. These reimbursements can be for closing costs related to purchases of commercial property in New Jersey from which a small business will operate. For more details about eligibility click here.
Bond Financing: Creditworthy New Jersey manufacturing companies have the opportunity to apply for up to $10 million. New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits and exempt facilities can apply for long-term financing with no cap. For more details click here.

NJEDA Flyers

NJEDA SB ECommerce Support Flyer: This flyer includes specific grant information and key contact information for anyone interested in more details or specifics about E-Commerce grants.
NJEDA SB Improvement Grant Flyer: This flyer provides more details about the Improvement grants.
NJEDA SB Lease Grant Flyer: This flyer provides more details about the Lease grants.

More Opportunities

NJEDA Financing and Incentive Opportunities: For a full list of all up-to-date programs, financing options, and incentive opportunities please refer to the NJEDA website here.

Trenton Revitalization Investment Fund (T-RIF)
Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC)

The Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new, targeted investment framework designed to accelerate redevelopment and economic activity exclusively within Trenton’s Capital District.

Beginning, Monday, January 12, 2026, CCRC is accepting proposals through the Trenton Revitalization Investment Fund (T-RIF)—a strategic initiative to catalyze high-impact redevelopment projects that strengthen downtown Trenton and expand the city’s economic base.

Program Overview

Through T-RIF, up to $1.75 million in total investment capital will be made available to support qualified real estate redevelopment projects located strictly within the Capital District. This program is intended for developers, property owners, and business entities with projects that directly contribute to a more vibrant, active, and economically resilient downtown.

Eligible Projects Must Demonstrate Impact In One or More of the Following Areas:

Increased residential population within the Capital District
Activation of street-level activity, particularly through the reuse of currently vacant retail or commercial spaces
Increased demand for local businesses and services
Growth of the City of Trenton’s tax base

Projects outside the Capital District are not eligible for consideration.

Investment Parameters

Minimum required private investment: $200,000
Maximum CCRC investment per project: $600,000
Total funds available through T-RIF: Up to $1.75 million

Complete investment framework details and proposal procedures are presented in the NOIO document on the CCRC website .

Questions about T-RIF should be submitted by email to CCRC@treas.nj.gov.

UCEDC Loan Programs:

Mercer County continues its partnership with the UDEDC in the past. Now Mercer County occasionally partners with the UCEDC on a County Business Lending Program. These loans come in a variety of different forms and include the following:

Microloans:

NEW - Business Advantage Loan: Click here for more information
General Microloan: Click here for more information.
Rapid Response Loans: Click here for more information.
Prime Lock Loans: Click here for more information.

Long-Term Loans:

SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Loans: Click here for more information.
SBA 504 Loan: Click here for more information

Contact for Application or Further Information:

To apply for any of these loan opportunities, please contact the Mercer County Office of Economic Development at (609) 989-6555 or the UCEDC at (908) 527-1166.

Attention Trenton UEZ Business

Trenton Commercial Building Forgivable Loan Program

Program Purpose and Goals

The Trenton Commercial Building Forgivable Loan Program is intended to provide incentives for prospective businesses to locate in Trenton and provide incentives for existing businesses to expand and improve. The desired outcomes of these expenditures are to

create jobs
increase ratables by improving the value of retail buildings
provide support for existing businesses
create more attractive retail districts for the people who live and work in Trenton

Program

The Trenton Commercial Building Incentive offers grants of up to 50% of total project cost, grant to not exceed $40,000, to UEZ businesses operating within commercial space, with a minimum project cost of $5,000.

Any building improvements that will affect the commercial space of the building are eligible (facade, plumbing, electric, HVAC, roof, interior, etc.). Most equipment is not eligible, except for equipment substantially integrated in the building like furnace or HVAC.

Eligible Properties

Commercial properties in the City of Trenton. If a building is mixed use, only the commercial portions are eligible. Residential use is not eligible. Nonprofits are not eligible.

Applicants must be certified members of the Urban Enterprise Zone.

Program Requirements

For each year the applicant remains in the property, 20% of the loan is forgiven, assuming all conditions are satisfied. After 5 years, the entire amount is forgiven. The applicant must provide a personal guarantee to this effect. If the incentive is over $20,000, the applicant must also accept a lien on this property (if the applicant is also the owner of the property) or another property (if the applicant is not the owner of the property).
The applicant must either be the owner of the property or the commercial tenant of the property with a letter from the owner in support from the owner approving the changes to be made to the property.
The applicant must have a valid City of Trenton, or otherwise appropriate, Business License.
The applicant must be a certified member of the Trenton Urban Enterprise Zone.
Applicant cannot be on the Federal or State debarment lists and need to certify to such.
The loan will be subject to future audit and review and approval of the City of Trenton and the New Jersey UEZ Authority.
Because this Forgivable Loan is funded by State UEZ funds, work done must be in accordance with the Prevailing Wage Act N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq. Among the requirements,
1. Contractors must pay their employees prevailing wage.
2. Contractors must submit weekly payroll Certification.
3. It is recommended to hire a contractor who is familiar with Prevailing Wage rules. You can find additional information at https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/prevailing-rates/public-works/index.shtml.
  
  8.       The Applicant must receive three (3) estimates (costing the same scope of work).
  
  9.       All estimates must be given by licensed contractors. The contractors’ proof of license must be submitted with the application.
  
  10.   The Applicant does not need to hire the contractor who gives the lowest estimate, but the grant will be determined at 50% of the lowest estimate.
  
  11.   All three estimates must be presented to the City of Trenton when the application is submitted.
  
  12.   The work must not be started before grant is awarded and no reimbursement will be awarded for expenses incurred prior to grant award. The City of Trenton Department of Housing and Economic Development must approve the project, in writing, prior to the start of work.
  
  13.   The application must include project plans with sufficient detail to facilitate an understanding of the Project.
  
  14. Projects on property located within a historic district, and that are doing external work, must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the applicable review committee.
  
  15.All project work must be properly permitted prior to the start of work and completed in accordance with the City of Trenton Building Codes. Applicants must obtain all applicable zoning and building permits.
  
  16. The project must be consistent with City of Trenton regulations and be approved by the City’s planning/zoning/building officials.
  
  17. The applicant (if also the property owner) must be current in all responsibilities to the city including property tax and water.
  
  18. The applicant must provide proof of property insurance. The summary page will be sufficient
  
  19.   Portions of the project in excess of the grant must be provided by applicant. All work must be complete and receipts submitted before the incentive is issued.
  
  20.   Project work must begin within three (3) months of the award approval unless special permission from the City is given.
  
  21.   The project must be completed within one (1) year unless special permission from the City is given
  
  22. A limit of three grants will be approved per applicant within a span of five years. The applicants include any person or entity that has at least a 10% ownership stake in the applying entity.
  
  23. A limit of 1 grant will be approved per project address within a span of ten years.
  
  24. If a previous grant had been given (either from the Trenton Commercial Building Forgivable Loan or the previous Trenton Business Improvement Incentive), that building has to have a commercial operator before subsequent grants can be approved.
  
  25. All statements and representations made in the application must be correct in all material respects when made.
  
  26.The Mayor of the City of Trenton, City of Trenton department directors, Trenton City Council and staff of the Trenton Division of Economic Development, as well as their immediate families, are not eligible.

Elements of this Forgivable Loan Program are subject to change without notice.

Check with your tax professional implication of forgivable loan. The IRS may count forgiven loans as income.

Awards and Disbursements

When an application is received, Trenton Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) staff will verify that the application is complete and the project fulfills all the program requirements.
Once the application is complete, the applicant will sign and notarize the lien.
Once UEZ staff has provided written approval of the application, work may begin.
Contractor must submit weekly payroll reports to comply with prevailing wage.
After the work is completed, the applicant will submit receipts and photographs for the work completed for disbursement of funds. (Cost savings from the estimated project, in the original application on which the award is based, may reduce the amount awarded.)
A property inspection will be made to ensure that the work was completed according to the requirements.
After five years, the lien will be released.

Application

Application Date

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Applicant Organization Name

Primary Business Address

Project Contact Person

Telephone Number

Email address

Tax Identification Number

Ownership Structure of Applicant’s Business

Year Company Founded

FEDERAL, STATE and MUNICIPAL TAX PAYMENTS

Please answer the following for the applicant, affiliated entities and each owner of the applicant

Are federal/state employee withholding tax payments current?

Are sale and other business tax payments current?

Are corporate/ personal federal and state income tax payments current?

Are municipal property tax payments and water payments current at the project site?

FUNDS REQUESTED

Total amount of incentive requested

For what use?

(Prohibited uses include gambling or gaming activities; the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale; carnivals, fairs, auctions, outdoor shows, kiosks, sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor sales or storage; a flea market, pawn shop, junkyard, car storage (including parking and towing and repair services), automobile or boat display or sales, car wash, massage parlor, head shop or betting parlor; any activity constituting a nuisance; or any illegal purpose.)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION & ECONOMIC BENEFIT

Please provide brief description of the project: (description should include the scope of the project, land uses, owner, project schedule, tenants, neighborhood/area benefit context, etc).

Has construction already started?

Briefly describe how the project advances the goals of the city (job creation for neighborhood or city residents, the increase of ratables, provision of services or the creation of a more attractive retail district for the people who live and work in Trenton). Please also describe the role the grant will play in your decision to improve, expand or relocate to the project property.

Indicate the number of people presently employed at the project property and the number that will be employed at the completion of the project (do not include construction workers). All projections should be as accurate, conservative and achievable as possible.

Type of Employment	On Project Site at Present		New Jobs Created after Work Complete		Total
	Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time	Full-time	Part-time
Professional, managerial, technical
Skilled, Semi-Skilled
Unskilled
TOTALS

Property Address

Block and Lot

Size of building in square feet

Indicate the present use of the project site

Please detail the project budget

List all liens on subject property and the amount of the lien

Is the property in a historic district?

Is the property covered by property insurance?

If yes, what is your coverage limit?

If yes, what is the name and phone of your insurance agent?

Complete and attach the following

Photos of building “as is”
Three quotes from vendors for identical work
Proof of contractor license
Proof of ownership of the Property OR a letter from the property owner giving permission for the work to be done
Proof that taxes are up to date
Proof of property insurance
Proof of UEZ membership
Certificate of Appropriateness, if in historic district.

Applicant Affidavit

I certify that this affidavit has been executed to induce the City of Trenton to consider an award for improvements to the property located at _________________________, Trenton New Jersey (hereafter known as Property) and certify that the undersigned is the Property Owner, or has provided a letter from the Owner approving the changes to be made to the property.

I certify that the information on this application is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge.

If I receive an Award, I acknowledge I will be required to execute a Grant Agreement.

I certify that I have read and understand the conditions of this Award and understand my responsibilities under these documents.

SIGNED DATE

PRINTED NAME