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Tedesco announced economic recovery initiatives to help small businesses.
County approves Bergen Business Resource Network partnership and announces new small business grant program
Above: County officials with BCC student facilitators for the Bergen Business Resource Network at the recent Bergen County Economic Development Forum in Hackensack.
Hackensack, NJ – Tuesday, July 26, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announced two new measures to fight inflation and provide additional support to small businesses in an effort to strengthen the county’s strong economic position.
When you announce these two steps. Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said.”, “In Bergen County, small businesses are the heart of both the economy and the community. My administration is committed to doing everything possible to help the backbone of our economy not only to maintain their economic position, but also to enjoy new growth so that they can truly prosper in the 21st century.St century economy.
The first measure reauthorizes a new $235,000 grant to Bergen Community College to provide free consulting and real-time data services to small businesses as part of the Bergen Business Resource Network. The program provides Bergen Community College business students with real-world experience by serving as the first point of contact for small businesses seeking assistance. Duties include assisting business owners with an information tool known as “SizeUp,” which breaks down how their competition is competing in a particular industry, and referring business owners to various partners in the network, including the Small Business Development Center at Ramapo College. , SCORE, NJEDA and others. During consultation, students connect business owners with independent consultants through Bergen Business Resource Network partners, providing social media and web service support. To date, the program has helped more than 200 businesses.
Speaking about the success of the partnership Bergen Community College President Dr. Eric Friedman saidI am grateful that our partners in Bergen County Government have accepted the opportunity to collaborate on economic development. This program represents a living, breathing example of the importance of partnerships between education and government for the betterment of society and the workforce. I’m especially proud of our students, who are using what they’ve learned to make a tangible impact in the communities we live in and positively impact our county’s businesses. The county’s continued support — through advocacy and grant funding — has helped the college become an engine firing on all cylinders for economic development in Bergen County.
Tedesco also announced that the county will launch a new small business grant program in early September. Through this new program, the county will provide $2.5 million to local small businesses along with the state Women’s Business Enterprise, Small Business Enterprise, Veteran-Owned Small Business and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Qualifying individual businesses are eligible for up to $2,500 per applicant. More details will be announced at the end of August.
Tedesco showcased both the success stories of the 2020 Bergen County CARES Small Business Grant Program and the first group of Bergen Community College students who served as facilitators for the Bergen Business Resource Network at the recent Bergen County Economic Development Forum. These two announcements build on the concrete steps taken by the county’s economic development team over the past two years to address the financial impact of the pandemic and enhance opportunities for economic growth in Bergen County as a whole. In the year In 2020, the county expanded several levels of the Bergen County CARES Small Business Grant Program, which provides relief to businesses with 30 employees or fewer to apply for financial assistance to cover rent, mortgage and utility costs. Over the life of the program, $55.6 million is allocated to approximately 4,000 Bergen County businesses employing approximately 80,000 people. Then, earlier this summer, the county unveiled the Bergen County Economic Resilience Advisory Committee, bringing together industry leaders to identify options, alternatives and recommendations to maintain our region’s economic strength and build for sustainable growth.
“The engine of our local economy is the more than 47,000 small businesses that call Bergen County home.” said commissioner chair Tracy Zur. Both of these measures provide critical assistance at no cost to these businesses to help them thrive and expand, open doors for startups, and attract businesses from outside of Bergen County. I commend the County Executive for continuing to find ways to make Bergen County a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Both new programs will be funded using federal Save America Act funds.
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