“These new advisory committees will help us gain valuable insights into not only how the SBA can improve programs and policies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem across the nation, but also how the agency can better serve our customers while accelerating the flow of patient private and public capital to innovative startups and small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

The annual report showed a record-breaking year, with $154.2 billion contracted nationally.

Led by Administrator Isabella Guzman, and joined by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim and other officials, the group met at Olga's Diner in Marlton to explore efforts that worked – and those that didn't – during the pandemic, in addition to discussing the ongoing challenges operators continue to face.

Jennifer Kim is the former head of NJPIRG and spent time living in Newark while working on U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's presidential campaign in 2019 and 2020.

The new expiration date is one of several reforms the Small Business Administration is announcing for the Community Advantage initiative, which was designed to increase access to credit for companies in underserved areas.

New Jersey Deputy District Director John Blackstock succeeds Al Titone in the position, who retired from the agency this past December after more than a decade in the role.

Officials set a deadline of Jan. 5 to apply for SBA funds, which are only available to companies, homeowners and renters in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties.

The New Jersey Innovation Institute in Newark and Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship in Union won as part of the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition program track, which included entries from accelerators and incubators proposing targeted assistance to STEM and R&D entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, rural areas and veteran entrepreneurs.

New applications seeking economic aid for live entertainment small businesses, nonprofits, and venues will be accepted until until 2:59 a.m. EST on Aug. 21. Thus far, the SVOG program has awarded $8.4 billion in grants to more than 10,800 cultural institutions.

Beginning Aug. 4, businesses that received up to $150,000 from the federal Paycheck Protection Program can apply directly with the U.S. Small Business Administration for relief.

The Biden administration set up the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant program to assist such establishments that had to close their doors during the pandemic, and then endure months of capacity restrictions after reopening.

The initiative, part of the American Rescue Plan, will engage with community organizations to aid small businesses around the country during recovery, with a priority on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women and veterans.