OCED: UEZ - Urban Enterprise Zone Program
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR FORMER UEZ MEMBERS!!!!
If your business was dropped from the UEZ Program in Long Branch because you were unable to fulfill the hiring requirement, please call Mr. Jones at 732-923-2040 immediately! You may be eligible for reinstatement in the program without penalty and without having to hire additional employees.
Facade Improvements
Businesses in the Uptown, Midtown, West End and Lower Broadway areas are all eligible for this grant (up to $10,000 in matching funds) and many applications are currently awaiting approval.
If any merchant or business owner in the areas specified above would like to apply for this grant, please contact Jacob Jones, the UEZ director at 732-923-2040. Specific guidelines must be adhered to, and businesses requesting this assistance must be members of the UEZ program.
Façade Improvement Program Application Package
UEZ Membership
It's never too late to become a UEZ member, even if you've been an established business. Please call the Urban Enterprise Zone Secretary, Tonya Medina at 732-923-2042. Tonya will provide you with the necessary information and forms regarding membership. Upon acceptance by the state, businesses may charge a discounted sales tax (3%) to customers and also may purchase business equipment tax-free. There are additional tax relief benefits if your business hires employees who reside within the zone and who have recently been unemployed or on public assistance.
The benefits of this program far outweigh the paperwork involved and it is definitely worth finding out if your business is eligible to obtain this designation. Revenues generated from the 3% sales tax go into a special state fund and 2% is redirected back to Long Branch. These funds have helped to improve parking areas, sidewalks, make available facade improvement grants and offset the expense of many events and programs throughout the year. This is truly a program that lets you see first hand our tax dollars at work.
Business Meetings
There are a few merchant groups that hold monthly meetings. New members are always welcome and encouraged to attend. Come and find out what's new and exciting in your area and take an active role in decisions and ideas that affect your business.
Meetings for the Uptown area take place on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM. Call or email Barry Stein at 732-923-2044 for more information.
The Downtown (Lower Broadway) merchant meetings take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 AM at the Brookdale Learning Center, 213 Broadway. This group includes merchants from the Eastern and midtown areas. Call or email Elisabeth Cook at 732-923-2043 for additional information.