Asbury Park Businesses Can Get Rent Assistance, Reimbursed For Repairs

ASBURY PARK, NJ — Attention, Asbury Park business owners: You can make curb appeal and facade improvements to the front of your stores and be reimbursed by the state up to 50 percent of the costs. You can also get help from the state paying your monthly rent.

The city of Asbury Park just received $526,000 in funding from the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) administration, the Asbury Park City Council announced Monday.

The money will be used to do the following:

• Create a façade and walkway improvement program
• Launch a micro-business lease subsidy program
• Pay for supplemental Asbury Park Police foot patrol through the city’s business districts
• Finally, create a Workforce Development program in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County.

Get reimbursed by state for storefront improvements: The Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone Façade and Walkway Improvement Program is designed to help business owners improve the appearance of their storefronts and entrances and increase the curb appeal of the business district. Registered UEZ businesses must apply on the city’s website beginning June 1, 2023 for a reimbursement of 50% of the cost of improvements up to $5,000. All applicants must be registered with the NJ UEZ and applications must be received by December 31, 2023.

Help pay the rent for your business: The city of Asbury Park UEZ Micro-Business Lease Subsidy Program will support the growth and success of new small businesses, with up to 10 employees, by providing grant funding to cover a portion of the businesses’ lease payments. Registered UEZ businesses must apply on the city’s website beginning June 1, 2023 to receive 10% of the business lease payment, up to $500/month for 6 months. All applicants must be registered with the NJ UEZ and applications must be received by December 31, 2023.

The UEZ program was created in 1983 to stimulate growth in urban communities. The program offers reduced sales tax, currently 3.3125%, and tax-free purchases on items such as capital equipment, facility expansions, upgrades and supplies.

"We hope all Asbury Park business owners will take advantage of the opportunities," said Urban Enterprise Zone Business Development Administrator JulieAnn Murra.

“We are thrilled that the state of NJ has revived the Urban Enterprise Zone program,” said Asbury Park Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn.

For questions on the City of Asbury Park’s UEZ programs and how to register, contact the City’s UEZ Business Development Administrator JulieAnn Murray at [email protected] or 732-502-4579.