Small Business Liquor License Grant

The Small Business Liquor License Support Grant is a pilot initiative launched by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) under the broader Main Street Recovery Finance Program. This grant supports small businesses in New Jersey that have recently purchased an inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License. The program aligns with legislative actions under P.L. 2023, c.290 and is designed to promote the growth of service-sector small businesses that have made a significant investment to expand their offerings. Through this initiative, the NJEDA seeks to revitalize commercial activity and improve access to alcoholic beverage service within local communities, stimulating economic recovery and expansion. Eligible applicants may receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the purchase price of an inactive Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License, capped at $100,000. This reimbursement only applies to licenses that were deemed inactive by the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and must have been acquired within 12 months prior to the grant application. The grant is available to both nonprofit and for-profit small businesses that meet the SBA definition of a small business based on their NAICS code and tax filings. To be eligible, applicants must operate from a New Jersey-based commercial facility, be open and operating for at least 12 months, and hold the qualifying liquor license directly or through an exclusive holding company. Businesses must provide the most recent federal tax return, a WR-30 employment record for the prior quarter, and a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the NJ Division of Taxation. Additionally, the applicant and any related entities must be in substantial good standing with the NJ Department of Labor, Department of Environmental Protection, and NJEDA, and in full compliance with ABC statutes and regulations. Entities primarily involved in real estate holding or leasing, including landlords, are explicitly ineligible. Applicants are limited to one grant award per EIN for the lifetime of the program, and only purchases of inactive Class C Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses are eligible. Other types of liquor licenses, including those for breweries, wineries, or sporting facilities, do not qualify. Businesses must certify that they are not in default on any existing NJEDA or state-funded financial assistance. Applications are submitted online through the NJEDA portal. Although there is no stated close date, the program is currently open and accepting submissions. Interested applicants are encouraged to refer to the program guide and FAQ documents provided on the NJEDA website. For additional information or to pose specific questions, applicants may contact NJEDA via email at smallbusinessservices@njeda.com or call (844) 965-1125. The NJEDA will review applications in the order received and reserves the right to prioritize based on policy goals.

Ensure the license is classified as inactive by NJ ABC; maintain regulatory compliance with NJ agencies; only one application per EIN; confirm facility and business activity meet NJEDA criteria.