Small Business Lease Grant
Funds New Jersey small businesses by helping offset commercial lease costs through direct support.
The Small Business Lease Grant sits under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and targets New Jersey small businesses, nonprofits, and incubator operators that are carrying commercial rent. It is a direct cash program, not a tax credit, and it is built to relieve lease pressure for businesses that are already operating in the state. The grant reimburses 20% of a company's annual lease payment in two installments, with funding tied to a market-rate commercial lease in first-floor space between 250 and 10,000 square feet. Applicants need a minimum five-year lease term, and the wage floor is set at $15 an hour or 120% of the New Jersey minimum wage. Applications are rolling, but the available pool is described as limited. This is a fit for operators that need predictable rent relief more than one-time expansion capital. The strongest applications will already have a compliant lease, a real operating footprint in New Jersey, and payroll that clears the program's wage threshold, because the structure rewards ongoing occupancy and steady operations rather than speculative plans.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.