Jersey City Project announces recipients of 2019 small business grant fund

The Jersey City Project on Friday said it awarded eight area businesses with its 2019 Small Business Grant Fund. The grant fund was created to support businesses owned and operated in Jersey City in need of a moderate financial investment to expand local operations. Recipients are selected by a revolving third-party review board made up of active members in the Jersey City small business community. Grants are divided into three categories, marketing; capital improvement; and disaster relief.

This year’s Small Business Grant Fund was seeded in part by profits from the summer food festival Project: EATS, donations from the local community, and from contributions by Goldman Sachs and PNC Bank. The next cycle for applications will open in 2020.

Recipients of the 2019 Small Business Grant Fund in Marketing are Busy Bee Organics and No Dominion Theatre Co. Awarded for Capital Improvement is Cherry’s Lounge, The Cliff, Jersey City Kickboxing, Pholk and Four Fitness.  In Disaster Relief the grant recipient is Grove Street Bicycles.

“We are thrilled to support Jersey City-based businesses with this grant program that helps them continue to flourish and prosper along with our city,” said Elizabeth Cain, a founding member of The Jersey City Project. “Locally owned small businesses are central to our city’s economic and cultural development. Our recipients, and all of the applicants for the grants are not only business people creating jobs and providing goods and services to residents and visitors, they’re also artists, craftspeople, and active members in the community. Jersey City is an incredible place to live and work and we look forward to expanding the program in the future so, as the city continues to grow, small businesses will also have room to thrive.”

“This small business grant from The Jersey City Project will help us expand the services we offer by providing affordable and accessible group classes tailored for older community members,” said Brandi Williams of Four Fitness. “The funds will be used to send our trainers to Senior Fitness Classes that will certify them to work with JC’s senior population safely.”

Another grant recipient, Ralph Sinisi of Grove Street Bicycles, said, “There was a fire in our original shop three years ago, but we are still playing catch up. We lost a lot in the fire, but the greatest expense for us has been outfitting our new shop. The grant from The Jersey City Project will help Grove Street Bicycles pay for fixtures to properly store and display bikes. We are touched that a local organization came together on our behalf!”