County Executive Hughes announces Feb. 1 start for Small Business Grant applications
The new Mercer County Small Business Grant program dedicates $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide direct aid to Mercer County small businesses that have likely experienced hardship from the COVID-19 disaster.
Dear Friends,
Before coming up with an idea that propels them to growth, all big businesses start as small businesses. Our small businesses in Mercer County are the lifeblood of our communities and local economy, providing jobs, careers and opportunity. Successful businesses put money back into Mercer County through paychecks and taxes, which support the creation of other new small businesses.
As a lifelong Mercer County resident, I, like you, have my favorite pizza place, coffee shop, dry cleaner and bookstore, all of which are small, locally run businesses. There is great satisfaction in patronizing a local business where you’re greeted by name and know that of the person behind the counter. It is among the reasons Mercer County is such a great place to live and do business, and I encourage you to shop locally to help our small businesses thrive.
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Yet we know that many of our small businesses were hard hit during the global pandemic, and are still struggling to get back on their feet and return to pre-pandemic levels. With that in mind, it gives me great satisfaction to announce the launch of the Mercer County Small Business Grant program, which dedicates $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide direct aid to Mercer County small businesses that have likely experienced hardship from the COVID-19 disaster.
I also wish to thank our partners at the Princeton Mercer Chamber, led by Hal English, who said, “The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber applauds the County of Mercer for this wonderful and sorely needed grant program. We congratulate the Administration for making the funding available and the application process as simple as possible! It was an honor to work with the County as a part of the process.”
The Chamber is a staunch supporter of our regional small-business community, and is a tremendous resource to businesses of all sizes.
The grant application process is entirely online and the portal opens Feb. 1, 2023. Please read ahead for more information.
Sincerely,
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes
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Mercer County Small Business Grant Program
To aid to those most in need and provide for easier application, the County will prioritize the review of applications from businesses located within Qualified Census Tracts (QCT) or Opportunity Zones within Mercer County. Per the eligibility criteria listed within the application, small businesses located in a QCT/Opportunity Zone will not be required to document economic losses and will receive a flat grant of $10,000. Those eligible small businesses not located in a QCT/Opportunity Zone will need to document economic losses and will be awarded funds based on the documented amount – up to a $10,000 maximum. Apply here or by clicking the link below.
If you have any questions or trouble with using the portal, please email: MercerCountyPortal@grantworks.net
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