City of Atlantic City Launches New Small Business Grant Program to Aid COVID-19 Recovery

On January 16, 2025, the City of Atlantic City proudly announced the launch of its Small Business Grant Program, offering up to $10,000 in funding for eligible local businesses. The initiative, made possible by $133,000 in funding from the Community Development Block Grant CARES (CDBG-CV3) Program, was designed to provide critical working capital to small businesses still recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant program targets small businesses with 10 or fewer employees as of December 31, 2019, including those in retail, restaurants, entertainment, and nonprofessional services. With funds available for a range of expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities, and advertising, the program aims to provide immediate relief and assist in the recovery process.

To qualify, businesses must meet the CDBG National Objective of benefiting low- and moderate-income individuals and must retain or rehire at least one permanent employee. The city is committed to helping local entrepreneurs regain stability and foster economic growth, ensuring that the community thrives in the wake of the pandemic.

Applications for the Small Business Grant Program are open until April 1, 2025, with businesses encouraged to attend an informational webinar on January 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. to learn more. The webinar will provide valuable insights into the application process and eligibility criteria.