The Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program is administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), an organization focused on fostering economic growth and supporting businesses within the state of New Jersey. This initiative is designed to provide financial relief to small and medium-sized businesses impacted by the temporary closures along Route 80, specifically the area near exit 34.
The purpose of the grant is to support eligible businesses experiencing losses as a direct result of disruptions caused by the Route 80 closures, particularly due to sinkholes. The program aims to offer short-term funding to help offset documented financial setbacks sustained during the first quarter of 2025. Businesses must demonstrate a minimum of $1,000 in negative financial impact to qualify.
Eligible applicants must have a physical commercial presence in New Jersey, such as an office, warehouse, sales point, or manufacturing site. They must also be registered to conduct business in the state, as evidenced by a valid Business Registration Certificate if required. Additional eligibility criteria include having no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees and being located in one of the zip codes within a five-mile radius of the Route 80 closures: 07438, 07801, 07803, 07834, 07842, 07847, 07849, 07850, 07852, 07856, 07866, 07869, 07876, 07885, 07950, 07874, and 07843.
The grant offers between $1,000 and $15,000 per applicant. Applications open on May 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and close on June 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The funding is not awarded on a rolling basis, and the program is not marked as recurring. There are no fees required to apply, and applications must be submitted within the designated timeframe.
Applicants are encouraged to consult the available resources such as the program guide, FAQ document, and application slide presentation for detailed instructions. For questions or additional support, applicants may contact NJEDA’s Customer Care team via email at CustomerCare@njeda.gov or by phone at 844-965-1125. Language translation services are available upon request via LanguageHelp@njeda.com.
