Launched in 2018, the initiative provides training and surety bonding education through a series of workshops and strategic counseling sessions to help better prepared companies to bid on government contracts.

The five-day experience will offer events, workshops and networking opportunities to help build and support local businesses. It kicks off May 2 with a Small Business Expo.

The first virtual session of the Black Bunker program, designed to help minority-owned businesses thrive, takes place on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

According to a new report from Alignable, companies in the Garden State say they've made less gains amid the variant than business owners in any other state.