Small Business Liquor License Grant is sponsored by New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Reimburses eligible NJ small businesses for costs of acquiring an inactive plenary retail consumption liquor license.

Small Business Liquor License Grant - NJEDA The NJEDA is currently accepting applications for this program. Please click the APPLY HERE button to begin.

The Small Business Liquor License Support Grant is a pilot program under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program that will reimburse eligible NJ small businesses 50%, up to a maximum of $100,000, of the purchase price of a previously inactive Plenary Retail Consumption License purchased within 12 months of application .

Grant to reimburse eligible NJ small businesses 50% up to $100,000 of the purchase price of a recently acquired NJ Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License. Supports the growth and success of NJ’s small service businesses that have recently purchased an Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License.

Open to small businesses and nonprofits Own a previously Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License at time of application and have a purchase date within 12 months prior to application. NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) determines if the license was previously inactive. The SBLLG supports the purchase of an Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License by a small business.

Assisting with the purchase of an inactive plenary retail consumption liquor license supports the growth and success of New Jersey’s small service businesses. This product aligns with legislation P. L.

2023, c. 290 regarding inactive plenary retail consumption liquor licenses and allows NJ small businesses the opportunity to purchase one. This grant will reimburse a NJ small business up to 50% of the cost of the inactive license, not to exceed $100,000.

This grant is for businesses that are open and operating to expand service offerings to customers. Must own and possess a previously Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License at time of application and have a purchase date within 12 months prior to application . NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) determines if the license was previously inactive.

Applicants that have transferred the license between entities with common ownership are not eligible. Applicant or other related entities must be in compliance with ABC statute and regulations and status will be determined by ABC.

Applicant business must rent or own and operate from a NJ based commercial facility and own the liquor license, or, in the alternative, a separate holding company may own the liquor license for applicant’s exclusive use. A real estate holding company is ineligible for this grant. Landlords and real estate holding entities are not eligible.

Grant is only for occupying small business owners. Applicant must be open and operating for at least 12 months prior to application and must provide the most recent federal tax filing required to be filed for their business showing sales per gross receipts. Non-profit and for-profit entities that meet SBA’s definition of small business based on NAICS industry classification at time of application.

NAICS code on most recent tax filing will be used to make eligibility determination. Applicants must provide a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the NJ Division of Taxation prior to receiving NJEDA approval. Applicant entity is required to provide a WR30 reflecting employment for the quarter prior to their application date.

Business must be in compliance with NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC Act, statute and regulations prior to approval (NJSA 33:1-1 et seq; NJAC 13:2-1. 1 et seq) and must remain in compliance for the 5-year NJEDA compliance period.

Applicants must be in substantial good standing prior to approval with the NJ Department of Labor, and NJ Department of Environmental Protection, with all decisions of substantial good standing at the discretion of those entities. Applicant or other related entities must be in good standing with the ABC Act and status will be determined by ABC. Applicant must not be in default with any other EDA or State assistance and certify to same.

Applicant must either own a New Jersey Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License at time of application or, if applicant does not own the license, it must be owned by a holding company that is the co-applicant for the grant. Only the purchase of an New Jersey Inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License is eligible; no other costs associated with that purchase are eligible.

Applicants are eligible to receive a Small Business Lease Grant, Small Business Improvement Grant and a Small Business Liquor License Grant for the same location. Applicants are limited to one award per EIN. Applicants operating from multiple locations under a single EIN would be limited to one application for the life of the program.

This product applies only to purchases of inactive Class C Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses. All other liquor licenses, including but not limited to special licenses for shopping malls and strip malls issued pursuant to NJSA 33:1-12.

18 (6)(a) and licenses issued for breweries, distilleries, winemakers, cideries, meaderies, club facilities, sporting facilities, concessionaires, hotels/motels, blenders, brokers or those related to warehousing, distribution, transportation or wholesale are not eligible. Reimbursement of up to 50% of the purchase price of a Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License. Grant amount not to exceed $100,000.

Only one award is allowed per EIN for the life of the program. Approval Fee: $500 (non-refundable) Payable at the time of approval and prior to execution of grant agreement.

APPLICANT CHECKLIST SBA table of Size STANDARDS securing your tax clearance FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR brochure POST-CLOSING DOCUMENTS BOARD MEMO program specifications Program Rules ADVISORY NOTICE REGARDING INTERMUNICIPAL LICENSE TRANSFER STATUTE QUESTIONS For more information or to ask a specific question please send an email to smallbusinessservices@njeda. com and a team member will reach out to you.