A $77,797 Rural Business Development grant to support the creation of the Norwescap Center for Entrepreneurship is just one way the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is supporting Sussex County.
USDA New Jersey Rural Development Director Jane Acerta said the USDA invested $107 million in New Jersey in the last fiscal year. “It’s your tax dollars coming back from Washington and being invested here in New Jersey. Our investments are local.”
In the past five years, the Department of Agriculture has invested more than $50 million in about 230 projects in Sussex County, she said.
The department provides funding to small rural communities to build community facilities such as city halls, fire stations and senior centers, she said. “We want to increase the likelihood that that community will continue to grow and thrive.”
Additionally, USDA supports nonprofit organizations. We assist in the purchase and construction of apartment complexes and provide rental assistance to tenants. and funding water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
“We’ve helped 150 families here in Sussex County achieve homeownership or repair their homes so they can continue living in their homes as they age,” Aselta said. .
USDA’s business program includes a 50% grant to help businesses improve energy efficiency, which will reduce overall costs, she said.
Norwescap and USDA share the goal of changing lives. “It’s never a risk for us to invest your tax dollars to help you accomplish your mission.”
center planning
Deanna Morrison, Norweth Cap’s Director of Pathways 2 Prosperity, presented plans for a new entrepreneurship center to be located in the basement of the Norweth Cap building at 37 Main Street, Sussex.
There is a meeting room and work area with computers, high-speed Wi-Fi, a printer, an interactive whiteboard, and a large screen TV on the wall.
“The Entrepreneurship Center is open to any small business with a growth mindset,” Mr Morrison said.
“We will have access to education, tools and guidance” and capital to help small businesses succeed, she added.
The center’s first program, a series of professional development workshops for entrepreneurs, will begin on Thursday, April 18th. The start was postponed from April 4th.
The Business Development Academy will run for eight weeks, with sessions held on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Led by expert trainers from UCEDC, a nonprofit economic development corporation.
This program is valued at $1,000 and is provided free of charge to qualified applicants.
Applications for this program are accepted online at www.tfaforms.com/5113142.
For more information, contact Norwescap’s Community Development Project Manager, Sean Hyland, at (908) 454-7000 ext. 1902 or hylands@norwescap.org
