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Community
Changes for Property Owners in the South Ward
The business corridors in the South Ward deserve turnkey and habitable storefronts. Good businesses WANT to be here! However, the change begins with our property owners.
The initial registration fee for vacant lots and homes is $1,000. That fee will now increase to $3,000 in its second year and $6,000 in the third. From there, the annual fee jumps to $10,000 — an amount Baraka said “creates a strong incentive for property owners to develop their properties.”
Owners of vacant or abandoned commercial properties also face higher fees. The initial commercial registration fee is $5,000. It increases to $15,000 in the second year, doubles to $30,000 for a third-year renewal, and jumps to $50,000 after that.
See more HERE
Residents and Stakeholders of the South Ward
The SWSID encourages our stakeholders, residents, visitors and community to help us make the South Ward “the neighborhood” destination location to live, work, shop, play, invest, worship and access healthcare.
If you suspect a business or property owner is operating out of code or compliance email: info@southwardsid.com
Newark Invests $2 Million In $100 Million Fund to Support Black and Latinx Businesses
Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced that the Newark Municipal Council voted yesterday to invest $2 million in the New Jersey 40 Acres and a Mule Fund (NJ FAM Fund). It is an investment fund targeted to reduce the wealth, health and social disparities that exist with Black and Latinx communities when compared to the general population. This first-in-the-nation investment vehicle makes equity and debt investments in Black and Latinx businesses in New Jersey. The $2 million contribution is earmarked specifically for Newark investments.
Grant Opportunity
You can still apply for NJEDA’s Small Business Improvement Grant! Grant provides reimbursement for building improvement costs or purchasing new furniture, fixtures and equipment. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
More info here: https://lnkd.in/eUyTJzXe
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Pre-Registration is NOW open for the NJEDA’s Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program
You may be eligible to receive up to $100k in loans! via the NJEDA for their phase 02 the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. We are thrilled to partner again with The New Jersey Economic Development Authority to help small businesses who are still struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NJEDA supplies $3.5 million of $10 million in funds to businesses located in the eligible NJ Opportunity Zone census, companies must be in existence must be in existence by August 3rd, 2021.
| AMOUNT PER BUSINESS/ENTITY Up to $100,000 | LOAN TERMS 0% interest rate 10 year term 24-month deferral |
South Ward SID wishes you the best during this pandemic, we will continue to provide you with information and resources for your betterment. If the above program applies to you take advantage of this opportunity, any questions related to the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program should be directed to 844-965-1125
You must pre-register from July 20th- July 30th to be eligible.
MAYOR BARAKA LAUNCHES NEWARKGO
CITY’S FIRST SHARED DOCKLESS BIKE AND E-SCOOTER PILOT PROGRAM
NewarkGo to provide 2,000 bikes and e-scooters for affordable, short-term rental; Program aims to reduce travel time and improve access to transit, jobs and city services
Newark, NJ–July 13, 2021— Mayor Ras J. Baraka today announced that NewarkGo, the city’s first-ever shared bike and e-scooter pilot program, will launch a six-month pilot this month, providing up to 2,000 affordable electric scooters and bicycles and linking Newarkers to jobs, schools, housing, health care facilities, the transit network, and other essential services. Two leading companies, Bird Rides, Inc. (“Bird”) and Veoride, Inc. (“Veo”), will be awarded permits to operate the short-term, shared micromobility service that will be available to residents and visitors citywide.
“While our schools, offices and businesses continue to reopen, NewarkGo can help Newarkers access all that our city has to offer,” said Mayor Baraka. “This safe, fast and affordable service is the first new mode of transportation our city has seen in decades, and I look forward to partnering with Bird and Veo to build stronger connections between communities and open up new avenues of opportunity for people in every corner of this city.”
Bird and Veo, which will each offer up to 1,000 e-scooters and bikes, currently operate in more than 250 and 40 cities respectively. These operators submitted applications to the City of Newark’s Department of Engineering and were evaluated in accordance with the permitting process adopted in April by the Newark Municipal Council, on a first come first service basis. Newark’s shared dockless bike and e-scooter program will ensure that operators in Newark build on the best practices developed in cities across the country. They will provide service to communities in every ward, including communities with lower incomes and longer commutes; discounted ride options for qualifying residents; alternative rental services for people without access to cellphones or credit cards; and adaptive bike designs to accommodate people of different ages and abilities.
“These bikes and scooters represent an entirely new transportation system for Newark, making it more accessible, equitable and affordable than ever to get around,” said Janette Sadik-Khan of Bloomberg Associates, who served as New York City Transportation Commissioner and launched the nation’s largest bike share program, Citi Bike, in 2013. “Mayor Baraka is setting a national example for cities during the recovery by bringing more opportunities within reach of every neighborhood.”
“Bird’s mission is to provide eco-friendly transportation to all as cities work to decrease pollution and congestion caused by gas-powered cars in their communities,” said Sam Cooper, Senior Manager, Government Partnerships at Bird. “We applaud Mayor Baraka and the City of Newark for their leadership and commitment to bring emission-free, affordable and equitable transportation to the city. In partnership with community partners such as the New Jersey Reentry Corporation and the Metropolitan Baptist Church, we are honored to provide residents and visitors access to our state of the art micro electric vehicles including our e-bikes and custom designed and engineered e-scooters.”
“Veo is proud to have been selected as part of the first dockless micromobility pilot in Newark,” said Candice Xie, VEO CEO and Co-Founder. “Following Mayor Baraka’s lead, we look forward to working closely with the City and the local community to implement a micromobility program that utilizes locally hired staff and is tailored to Newark’s needs and priorities. As the only operator that directly designs, manufactures, and operates a mixed fleet of micromobility vehicles, Veo can’t wait to see Newark residents and visitors using our e-scooters and pedal bikes to get around the city in a new, safe, and sustainable way.”
Both companies will conduct comprehensive outreach and educational programs that will explain details of the program, including how to rent and return bikes and e-scooters, rider trainings, and helmet giveaways. These campaigns will build on the city’s ongoing rider-education and safety events, including a partnership with New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition, which provided a series of virtual and in-person events at locations around the city.
The City of Newark’s Department of Engineering oversaw the installation of bike and e-scooter parking corrals—dedicated the street and sidewalk space in Downtown and throughout the city for Bird and Veo bikes and e-scooters, providing predictability for riders as well as dedicated parking areas. More information about how to rent and safely ride e-scooters and bikes, the corrals, public outreach, and educational campaigns, and other components about the program can be found at the city’s program website, https://newarkehd.com/planningzoning/newarkgo as well as on Bird and Veo apps.
About Newark Go:
NewarkGo is designed to support key goals of Mayor Baraka’s Newark Forward Agenda:
• A Safer City: Promoting social distancing in the time of COVID-19.
• An Empowered City: Generating foot traffic for local businesses, encouraging connections to our vibrant neighborhoods, and expanding the range of opportunities for residents.
• An Equitable City: Providing convenient and affordable transportation linking underserved populations to jobs, housing, and other essential services.
• A Collaborative City: Reducing road congestion, parking demand, and toxic emissions to enhance safety, promote walkability, and achieve sustainability.
The NewarkGo program was developed in collaboration by the City’s Department of Engineering and Department of Economic and Housing Development with guidance from Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that works with mayors around the world to improve the quality of life of city residents.
About Bird:
Bird is an electric vehicle company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally-friendly transportation solutions to communities across the world. Today, it provides a fleet of shared e-scooters to riders in over 250 cities and makes its products available for purchase at www.bird.co and via leading retailers and distribution partners. Bird partners closely with the cities in which it operates to provide a reliable and affordable transportation option for people who live and work there. Founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis VanderZanden, Bird is rapidly expanding. Follow Bird on Instagram (@bird), on Twitter (@BirdRide), and find more information at www.bird.co.
About Veo:
Based in Chicago, Veo has been designing and manufacturing micromobility devices and operating public bike/scooter share systems for four years. Veo has operated in more than 40 markets in the US, including San Diego, Oakland, New Rochelle, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and will be launching service in The Bronx in the summer of 2021. Veo has never launched service without a permit or permission. As the only female co-founded and run major micromobility operator, we have taken a fundamentally different approach to building our company and conducting ourselves; fine-tuning our operations, maintenance, and recharging processes and strategies in communities before we scaled to the largest markets and prioritizing profit and stability over rapid growth.
-NEWARK-
For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.newarknj.gov
APPLICATION OPENS… Phase 4 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program
Hello South Ward,
I hope all is well. I just wanted to make you aware and hope that will apply and/or share that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is reopening applications for grants for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through Phase 4 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. This round of funding will provide grants up to $20,000 to small and medium sized businesses and non-profits that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Click here to learn more about Phase 4 grants.
In order to apply for a grant, you must pre-register between Wednesday, May 26th at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. Interested business owners who did not SUBMIT a pre-registration in April need to pre-register at programs.njeda.com.
Business owners who submitted a pre-registration in April, but did not apply, do not need to pre-register again. Pre-registration IS NOT first come, first served, but businesses are encouraged to begin the process as early as possible.BUSINESSES THAT DO NOT PRE-REGISTER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PHASE 4 GRANTS.
Applications will become available in July, following the pre-registration period. Pre-registration and the application will be available in English and Spanish. The NJEDA is also offering interpretation services to support speakers of ten additional languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, and Tagalog.
Questions? Please call 844-965-1125”
Stay Healthy… Think of Others… Support Local Businesses
Street Renaming on Bergen and Renner
Let it be known that Bergen St will now also be known as Joanne Williams’ Way. Joanne was truly a pillar in the South Ward and diligently served the SWSID as a commUNITY leader and City of Newark Public Works Department Code Enforcement Officer.
