Hello all,

 

I hope you are doing well.  This email is to pull together a few updates in one place.  I’m also going to plan for regular NJLibsGrowBiz meetings starting next month, so stay tuned for a Doodle poll in a future email.

 

During the NJLA Conference, Don Newman from the Business Action Center shared an overview of their work with business owners.  I have added links to NJBAC handouts and the new business checklist on the NJLibsGrowBiz webpage (scroll down to the Business Support Organizations heading): https://www.njstatelib.org/services_for_libraries/consulting_services/business-technology-services/njlibsgrowbiz/

 

The Invisible Industry: Strategies and Resources for Supporting Cannabis Entrepreneurs, an online workshop hosted by the Entrepreneurship and Libraries Conference was held on May 27.  Recordings to the sessions are available here: https://entrelib.org/workshop-at-a-glance/

 

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Grant Opportunity for NJ Public Libraries: The New Jersey State Library is allocating $1,800,000 for competitive grants to public libraries. Through an American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, NJSL makes this funding available to New Jersey public libraries for the purpose of helping communities respond directly and immediately to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as address related economic and community needs through equitable approaches. Approximately 50 to 75 grants will be awarded.

Access the grant solicitation package at: https://www.njstatelib.org/ARPA

 

For Business owners: Pre-Registration for Phase 4 Grants Reopen: https://programs.njeda.com/

Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $20,000 to small- and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-registration has reopened for business owners who did not pre-register in April. Businesses can pre-register or check their application status at programs.njeda.com. Pre-registration for Phase 4 will be open until June 30th, 2021.

 

Free Skill Trainings for Jobseekers: https://nj.metrixlearning.com/

SkillUp New Jersey is a free virtual training program for both employed and unemployed workers. Available courses include but are not limited to information technology, business analysis, customer service, industry certifications, and more. This program is open 180 days after registering.

 

If you have any updates to share, please send them to the list! 

 

Have a great afternoon, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

 

Best,

Andrea

 

Andrea Simzak Levandowski (she/her/hers)

Library Consultant for Small Business Development & Technology

New Jersey State Library

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625

(609) 278-2640 x190

alevandowski@PROTECTED