Mercer County was awarded Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funding for the Borough of Hightstown (CDBG-CV 1) and for the entire County of Mercer (CDBG-CV 2).   

The County held two public hearings in March 2024 to review and take questions regarding the various projects under these two allocations.  In addition, the County created necessary plans which include the following:

• Citizen Participation Plan 
• Fair Share Housing Plan 
• Grant Management Plan
• Grant Policy Procedure
• Public Comment Question and Answers
• FAQs for the Program

Through these efforts, there were two programs that were approved by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.  Below you will find details of both initiatives.   

CDBG-CV 1 - Hightstown Business and Non-Profit Grant Program
Mercer County is overseeing a grant program for small businesses and non-profits in Hightstown through its allocation of CDBG-CV1 funding.

Entities eligible to apply will include:

• Small Business (under 50 employees; less than $5M in revenue)
• Microenterprise (5 employees or less, of which at least one is the owner))
• Non-profit (located in Hightstown, NJ; IRS non-profit category tax ID certificate)
• Entity would need to be registered as a business/non-profit in Hightstown, NJ prior to December 31, 2021

At a recent training session regarding the program, there were several details that the Mercer County Office of Economic Development addressed:

1. Income Requirements: Applicants are not required to demonstrate negative income, but rather a reduction in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We request three years of income tax documentation to establish a baseline year and compare it with subsequent years. It is not necessary to have been 'in the red' to apply.

2. Non-Profit Organizations: Please ensure you have your 501(c)3 certification, verify your NJ DORES registration status, and confirm that the funds received will be used exclusively for low-income households or 'limited clientele' as defined in the portal or policy document.

3. Policy Documents: The program's policy documents are available on the first page of the Portal and on the Mercer County Economic Development CDBG-CV Program webpage. Please note that CDBG-CV funds are limited, and the program will not remain open indefinitely. Funds are awarded on a rolling basis until all are allocated.

If you meet these requirements, your establishment may be eligible for grant dollars up to $40,000.  

The Mercer County Office of Economic Development will hold new training sessions in Hightstown in early 2025.  

Please find below a photo of the recent check distribution event with members of the Mercer County Office of Economic Development team and representatives from a Hightstown non-profit - RISE.  In addition, a Hightstown restaurant, Tacorito, recently was the recipient of this CDBG grant.     

If you are Hightstown business or non-profit and would like to apply, please click on the link - Hightstown Grant Program. 

In addition, if you have any questions about the grant, please email us at MercerHightstownGrant@grantworks.net.

 CDBG-CV 2

Mercer County offered its municipalities CDBG funding to expand upon existing transportation needs for seniors, veterans, and the disabled.  Six of the total twelve municipalities – East Windsor, Ewing, Hamilton, Trenton and West Windsor – replied with senior vehicle requests.  Specifically, five of the requests are for new, handicap accessible buses or vans of differing sizes – to be used for expanded services to their senior citizen populations.  

For more information, please feel free to reach out to the Mercer County Office of Economic Development at (609) 989-6555.