15-04-2025
Grant application help available for businesses near I-80
NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — For three days, New Jersey's Economic Development Authority is hosting informational sessions about possible grants for small businesses impacted by the I-80 sinkholes.
Monday's meeting will be in person, with virtual sessions being held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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The Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program will provide grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 to businesses and non-profits within a 5-mile radius of the sinkhole. To apply, businesses cannot have more than 50 full-time employees and must be able to show at least $1,000 in negative financial impact for the first quarter of 2025.
Arledy Arroyade, the owner of Colossal Restaurant in Wharton, is hoping to take advantage of the EDA's grant money to help pay her bills.
'We have a lot of people waiting for payments and don't have that money,' said Arroyade.
'It definitely means a lot,' said Yazan Muheisen, owner of Pop's Bagels in Wharton. 'Our losses are a lot greater than that, but every little bit helps. Payroll has been really tough during these couple of months,' said Muheisen.
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The maximum $15,000 wouldn't be nearly enough to entirely cover a business's losses, but it would certainly help.
'I know I just got my gas bill and it was $5,200,' said Peter Sedereas, owner of Townsquare Diner in Wharton. 'My water bill was $1,800. My electric bill just came in. It was $3,900. So that $15,000 will go pretty quickly.'
What business owners need most is a steady stream of customers – something they can only achieve once I-80 is back open.
'We need the highway to reopen,' said Sedereas. 'Once the highway reopens, we'll be fine.'
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