Small Business Lease Grant

Small Business Lease Grant

Funds New Jersey small-business lease costs by reimbursing part of recurring facility expenses.

Eligibility · United States · US-NJ

The Small Business Lease Grant is a New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) program that reimburses qualifying small businesses and nonprofits for a portion of their commercial lease costs in New Jersey. The grant pays two installments, each equal to 20% of the applicant's annual lease amount — the first disbursed after the grant agreement is executed, the second after 12 months of verified compliance with program requirements. The total award therefore equals 40% of one year's lease payment, with no published per-applicant dollar cap; the grant scales directly with the actual lease cost. NJEDA has noted that available funding is limited, and the program operates on a rolling basis.

Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses and nonprofits that meet the SBA small business size definition. Commercial businesses, nonprofits, and operators of incubator spaces all qualify; cannabis license holders are explicitly excluded. The lease must cover first-floor space, range from 250 to 10,000 square feet, carry a minimum five-year term, and be at market rate. Wages paid at the covered location must be at least $15 per hour or 120% of the New Jersey minimum wage. A one-time $100 administrative fee is due upon grant approval. Grantees must maintain occupancy of the property for at least five years from the grant agreement date.

The program is best suited to small retail, service, and office businesses — and nonprofit operators — that are signing or have recently signed qualifying New Jersey commercial leases and need help offsetting occupancy costs during early years of operation. Because the funding pool is finite and depletes as applications are processed, applicants should submit as soon as they have an executed qualifying lease in hand. Applications are submitted through NJEDA's online portal, and questions can be directed to CustomerCare@njeda.com or (844) 965-1125.