Small Business Liquor License Grant

The Small Business Liquor License Grant is an NJEDA reimbursement program for New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits that bought an inactive plenary retail consumption liquor license. It is designed to lower the cost of entering or expanding in the state's food and beverage market. The grant covers 50% of the purchase price, up to $100,000. The license must have been purchased within the prior 12 months, cannot have been transferred between related entities, and the applicant must have operated from a New Jersey commercial facility for at least 12 months. Only one award is allowed per EIN for the life of the program, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This route is best for operators that can show a real operating history and a clean license acquisition. The strongest applicants will have bought the license recently, can document that it is inactive and eligible, and are prepared to keep the business anchored in New Jersey rather than flipping the asset through a related-party transaction.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.