Garden State Times

Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco expressed his support for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's recent approval of the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program. This initiative aims to aid businesses affected by the Route 80 sinkhole.

"I'm grateful to see the NJEDA Board officially approve the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program, a critical step forward in helping our small businesses recover from the devastating financial impact of the Route 80 sinkhole," Sen. Bucco stated. "For months, local businesses have been suffering—through no fault of their own—due to ongoing lane closures and reduced customer traffic. These are family-run establishments that fuel our local economy and enrich our communities. Thank you, Governor Murphy and the NJEDA for listening to our concerns, recognizing the hardship, and moving quickly to get this $5 million grant program across the finish line. This is exactly the kind of responsive, bipartisan governmental action that makes a real difference in people’s lives."

The NJEDA is preparing several information sessions for small business owners interested in this program. An in-person session is scheduled for April 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Wharton Municipal Building, located at 10 Robert Street, Wharton, N.J. Virtual sessions are also planned for April 15 at 10:00 a.m. and April 16 at 6:00 p.m.

The grant program targets small businesses in Morris County facing revenue declines due to the Route 80 lane closures caused by sinkhole repairs. Eligible applicants are businesses and non-profits with up to 50 full-time employees within a five-mile radius of Route 80’s Exit 34 and must show a negative financial impact of at least $1,000 for the first quarter of 2025.

For further details on the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program, interested parties can click here.