BOONTON, NJ (Morris County) – The Boonton Coffee Co., a busy café on Main Street, Boonton, was the first stop for delivering a $14,559 check from the Morris County Small Business Grant Program, as the Morris County Board of County Commissioners joined local officials in meeting with two local entrepreneurs.
“This is great. Thank you so much. It will go a long way,” said Frank McDonald, who owns and operates The Boonton Coffee Company with his wife, Nicola.
Commissioner Douglas Cabana delivered the grant, which is drawn from a fund created by the Commissioners to assist small businesses and nonprofits who survived the pandemic yet continue to struggle to operate and meet expenses.
“I’m the one who told this guy to apply. I had one of the pamphlets and dropped it off. Every small business needs to know about this program,” said Mickey Chopra, owner of Vinnie’s Pizzeria on Main Street, Boonton, embracing Frank McDonald during the grant delivery at the coffee shop. Vinnie’s Pizzeria also received a $15,000 grant.
Joining the grant delivery with Commissioner Cabana were Boonton Council members Joseph Bock (Ward 3), Marie DeVenezia (Ward 2), James Lynch (Ward 4) and Michael Wade (Ward 4). The Boonton officials gathered Morris County Small Business Grant Program pamphlets to distribute to other business owners in town.
“Our goal is to help small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. We initially put $5 million into the program, and we quickly followed up with another $5 million. I believe we are just shy of $3 million that has not yet been committed, and we urge every small business owner and nonprofit to explore this grant opportunity. We know they are busy, but this is worth investigating,” Cabana said.
More than 600 applications have been filed since the Morris County Small Business Program was launched on Valentine’s Day with the slogan, “Morris County Loves Small Business.” The Morris County Board of County Commissioners created the grant program from pandemic relief funding issued through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Morris County is still accepting applications. Most of applications heading for final approval will provide each of the qualified businesses and nonprofits the maximum grant amount of $15,000. While the remaining applications are still being reviewed, the program remains open to new applications. There is no cost to apply.
The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Business has 25 or fewer full-time employees (or equivalent)
- In operation since Jan. 1, 2019
- Located within Morris County
- Less than $5 million in sales/revenue
- Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Federal guidelines covering the grant program will determine exactly which expenses qualify for coverage under the grant program and which applications may be approved.
The grants are capped at $15,000 per applicant. However, business owners and nonprofits are encouraged to submit applications that include all costs they believe may qualify for the grant, even if the total amount of a single claim exceeds $15,000.
A final review may determine that some costs submitted for consideration are not covered under the program guidelines. However, by submitting all expenses that may qualify, applicants increase the possibility of getting the maximum amount of grant dollars possible.
