The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said that 468,600 positions have returned to the state, which still lags behind much of the nation with one of the highest unemployment rates hovering over 7% for months now.

The NJEDA will accept applications beginning next month for the first tranche of aid under a $100 million plan that is part of a $14.5 billion state incentive economic package the governor approved in January.

The state opted not to continue a slew of federal unemployment benefits after Sept. 4 that hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans counted on.

Under a 2016 state law, New Jersey cannot officially do business with any company that takes part in such a practice, known as “Boycott, Divest, Sanction.”

New Jersey’s congressional delegation is seeking federal appropriations for the state’s businesses, as Washington did following Superstorm Sandy, but that effort faces uncertainty.

The chosen businesses, startups and advocacy groups will spend nine months developing projects and products that “promote worker rights, worker safety, and lifelong learning."

The governor sided with an oft-repeated mantra that outdoor settings are mostly safe for patrons to not be masked.

“The Aspire Program will facilitate equitable, community-supported residential and commercial development projects that make our communities vibrant live, work, play destinations that better serve residents and help attract successful companies and top-notch talent,” reads a statement from NJEDA head Tim Sullivan.

Essex, Hudson, Morris, Mercer and Union can now receive financial relief for residents, homeowners and businesses that were struck by the tropical storm.

The scope of funding from the state and federal governments to help businesses recover from Isa is limited, but slowly expanding.

Fewer than 10% of New Jersey’s public expenditures goes to diverse businesses, according to New Jersey Office of Diversity and Inclusion Chief Diversity Officer Hester Agudosi. The number comes from a disparity study her office is currently working on and was shared while she moderated the virtual NJBIZ Diversity in the Workplace panel on Aug. 31.

“Making these additional funds available is part of our Administration’s key priorities to ensure more New Jerseyans have equitable access to high-paying, in-demand careers that will fuel our innovation economy now and through our pandemic recovery,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a prepared statement.