A Message from Mayor Mahr

Pastor Chris Morante of Evangel Church in Scotch Plains has begun offering Boxes of Hope to all those impacted by the virus. These boxes include all sorts of supplies and hygiene kits are being delivered all over town, and are a solemn reminder that we as a community are here for each other. We care about all those who are struggling and will do all we can to help.

Anyone who needs help can text the word HOPE to (908) 325-5163. A form will pop up that can be filled out with information and returned.

Finally today, Governor Phil Murphy announced 3,649 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 for a new total of 22,255 across the state. If you’d like to track the daily updates, the state has set up a live tracker that is updated with each Governor’s briefing of the situation. In addition to displaying a live number, the tracker also shows how many people have tested negative for the virus. Please click the link below to view the tracker.

– Mayor Colleen Mahr

NJEDA Small Business Grant Program Opens Tomorrow

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will launch the application for its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program tomorrow Friday, April 3, 2020, at 9 am. A link to the grant program application will be posted on the State’s COVID-19 Business Information Hub at business.nj.gov.

The grant program is one measure the state is taking to provide short-term cash flow support to small businesses and increase overall business confidence. You can read more about grant qualifications, amounts, and disbursement, in the full NJEDA statement here.

To see whether you might qualify for this program, use the NJ COVID-19 Business Support Eligibility Wizard. Explore how NJEDA determines grant size with the Grant Size Calculator. You may also access a copy of the grant application now, to assist you with preparing your submission. More information is available below on the grant scope, eligibility, and the materials that will be required for application submissions.  Eligible industries, as determined by NAICS code, include:

  • Retail
  • Accommodation & Food Service
  • Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation, Repair & Maintenance;
  • Personal & Laundry Services
  • (Eligible NAICS codes that start with 44, 45, 71, 72, 811, 812)

Eligible businesses may receive $1,000 per FTE, with the calculation based on the WR-30 filing from the most recent payroll period from the date of application. The minimum grant amount (per application) is $1,000, and the maximum grant amount (per application) is $5,000.

State Tax Filing Moved to July 15

Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin issued the following joint statement today on the tax filing deadline and the state budget timetable:

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardships, financial strain, and disruptions for many New Jerseyans and New Jersey businesses. As part of our response, we have reached an agreement that the state income tax filing deadline and the corporation business tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15 to July 15,” they said in a statement.

State Update

The Attorney General is crafting guidance on religious guidance with the upcoming high holy days.

A total of 850 ventilators from the federal government have been received in New Jersey. “Millions” of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has also been received. PPEs will be distributed to hospitals, healthcare, and first responders will be distributed from the State to the County OEM, who will distribute to the local police and Basic Lifer Services.

State Tax Filing Moved to July 15

Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin issued the following joint statement today on the tax filing deadline and the state budget timetable:

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardships, financial strain, and disruptions for many New Jerseyans and New Jersey businesses. As part of our response, we have reached an agreement that the state income tax filing deadline and the corporation business tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15 to July 15,” they said in a statement.