The Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program has been expanded to aid more small businesses affected by sinkhole repairs along the highway. Initially, the program was available only to businesses within a 5-mile radius of Exit 34. Now, it includes those within a 10-mile radius who have experienced revenue losses due to ongoing road closures.
This $5 million grant initiative offers financial support ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 based on business losses and employee count. The application portal opened this week for eligible businesses in specified ZIP codes including 07005, 07034, and others. The deadline for these applications is set for May 5 at 5 p.m.
Should funds remain after this period, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will extend applications to all of Morris County starting May 6. To qualify, businesses must have a physical commercial location in Morris County with no more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees. Certain entities like landlords and cannabis businesses are excluded from eligibility.
Businesses need to have been operational since December 1, 2024, and must demonstrate a minimum revenue loss of $1,000 due to the highway issues. For further details on eligibility and application procedures, NJEDA provides resources online including a Frequently Asked Questions document and a dedicated webpage for the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program.
