For  National Small Business Week, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners observed the annual event by personally delivering checks to small businesses and nonprofits who qualified for grants of up to $15,000 under the Morris County Small Business Grant Program.

Mara’s Café & Bakery at 23 Main St., Denville  was visited and issued a check under a program designed to help small businesses and nonprofits cope with some of the setbacks caused by the pandemic.

“It’s definitely worth it,” said Allison Kohler at Mara’s, after getting a check for more than $9,000.

Commissioners Deborah Smith and Thomas Mastrangelo presented the grant after touring her bakery and interviewing her about her experience applying for the grant.

“It was some of the best customer service I ever had, and you don’t expect that from government. Honestly, it was a process, but (the customer service representative) held my hand every step of the way,” Kohler explained

Her bakery suffered business losses and difficulty maintaining personnel, but she is hopeful the business will survive as her unique offerings of bakery goods keep customers returning.

The Morris County Small Business program, launched on Valentine’s Day under the slogan “Morris County Loves Small Business,” has received over 575 applications to date, with many already approved and most others still under review.

The Commissioners dedicated $10 million to the effort.

Most of applications heading for final approval will provide each of the qualified businesses and nonprofits the maximum grant amount of $15,000.  While the remaining applications are still being reviewed, the program remains open to new applications. Businesses as well as non-profits are urged to take advantage of the grant offer.

There is no cost to apply.

The program is financed through Morris County’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funds, and it is designed to provide grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse small businesses and nonprofit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses. The expenses must have been incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under ARPA guidelines.

The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:

∙       Business has 25 or fewer full-time employees (or equivalent)

∙       In operation since Jan. 1, 2019

∙       Located within Morris County

∙       Less than $5 million in sales/revenue

∙       Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Read the Qualifications & Apply: morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com

Federal guidelines covering the grant program will determine exactly which expenses qualify for coverage under the grant program and which applications may be approved.

The grants are capped at $15,000 per applicant. However, business owners and nonprofits are encouraged to submit applications that include all costs they believe may qualify for the grant, even if the total amount of a single claim exceeds $15,000.

A final review may determine that some costs submitted for consideration are not covered under the program guidelines. However, by submitting all expenses that may qualify, applicants increase the possibility of getting the maximum amount of grant dollars possible.

Photos:

Maras Café 2 – Looking over a tray of goods, (l-r) Owner Kohler with Commissioners Smith and Mastrangelo.