NJEDA Announces $10 Million Second Phase of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program
Pre-registration for Phase 2 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program will open at 9:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The $10 million program expansion will support New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be capitalized by a United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation. Any business or entity that intends to apply for a loan must first pre-register during this pre-registration period, which will run from 9:00 a.m. EST on February 10, 2021 to 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2021.

Read more at NJEDA

Overcoming the Top 5 HR Risks: 2020 Bonus - COVID-19 Risks

Jeff Agranoff, HR Consulting Principal, Grassi Advisors & Accountants

COVID-19 Risks
In addition to these 5 major areas of HR risk, which are all exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, there are risks inherent in the pandemic itself. Employee morale and loyalty can be severely tested in situations where furloughs and layoffs are inevitable. If you find yourself needing to make these tough decisions to contain employee-related costs, take purposeful steps to make the process easier for those who are leaving and staying. To the extent possible, communicate with remaining employees about the potential and timeline to bring furloughed employees back. Discuss how laid-off or furloughed employees’ roles will be covered. Offer departing employees job coaching and resume building services to support them in this transition.

NJEDA Expands Discounts, Extends Deadline for PPE Access Program

Businesses and organizations with 100 or fewer employees can apply for nearly 70 percent discounts on PPE purchases

TRENTON, N.J. (November 23, 2020) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that it will increase the discounts available on purchases of personal protective equipment made through the NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program to nearly 70 percent, effective Tuesday, November 24, 2020. The Authority will also double the per-business cap on discount vouchers. These discounts will be available to New Jersey businesses and nonprofits with 100 or fewer employees until December 10, 2020. Businesses that have already made purchases through the program will be able to receive vouchers for additional purchases up to the new program caps, but the 65 percent discount will only apply to purchases made on or after November 24, 2020. 

News from the FIC: COVID-19 Impacts FSMA Rule

Intentional adulteration…when a food product is intentionally contaminated by a person or group of people, either internal or external to a food business, has become even a greater concern as food processors battle through the challenges and ramifications of COVID-19. The most common cause of intentional adulteration within the food supply chain has been disgruntled employees seeking revenge on their employer or co-workers. On July 26, 2019, the FSMA final rule for intentional adulteration came into force: Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration. 

Read more from the Rutgers Food Innovation Center

Regular readers of the NJFPA newsletter will already be aware of these industry events and programs but we wanted to broaden our reach! 

For more details on each of these and other ongoing programs be sure to visit Ongoing Industry Events & Programs