10/7/22 News and Membership Update
Greetings Esteemed NJBA Members,
To those who made the trek or Zoom'd in for Monday's member meeting, thank you. We're thankful for your thoughtful involvement and input at these gatherings.
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The Special Ruling
Thanks to the positive pressure that members and allies have put (and are putting) on lawmakers, legislation is beginning to move in clear and well-stated opposition to the ABC's regulatory hurdles via the Special Ruling. Here are the details on two bills that have been scheduled for committee or a legislative session:
S2990:
Greenstein, Linda R./Gopal, Vin
Establishes and codifies certain privileges for limited and restricted brewery license holders.
10/13/2022 10:00:00 AM Law and Public Safety
Committee Room 1, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S2990
S3042:
Testa, Michael L.
Allows limited brewery license holder to engage in certain activities; establishes farm brewery and winery-brewery license.
10/13/2022 10:00:00 AM Law and Public Safety
Committee Room 1, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S3042
As passed at Monday's meeting, we (the Board in conjunction with our representation and lobby) are pleased with the potential for legislative change via these bills and others like them; and if you desire clarification on said path to change, as outlined in Monday's meeting, please do not hesitate to contact us at board@njbeer.org.
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New Loan Program from NJEDA
$20 Million Fund to Help Microbusinesses (with Less than 10 Employees)
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will start accepting applications for its Main Street Micro Business Loan program starting October 6, 2022.Eligible microbusinesses in New Jersey with 10 or fewer full-time employees and no greater than $1.5 million in annual revenues can apply for financing up to $50,000. The loan will have a standard 10-year term and the interest rate will be twopercent, with no interest and no payments due for the first year. Also note that if the loan is successfully used and documented with
all repayments made on time, after 5 years the balance converts to a grant and must not be repaid.
Funds will cover future operating expenses such as inventory, certain types of equipment (below $2,000) and working capital. The NJEDA has removed the requirement for personal guarantees from owners of microbusinesses. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and past recipients of the former Micro Business Loan Program.
An online information session was hosted by NJEDA on 9/26 and has been posted on their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phbdqKz96jQ
You can also go straight to the online application information page for more details and for accessing the online application here: https://www.njeda.com/
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Member Activities
Second Summer Beer and Music Fest
Sunday 10/9/22 @ MudHen Brewing Co
(If we missed an upcoming event your brewery is holding or participating in, apologies. Please send your event information to director@njbeer.org.)
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If you are willing to host a meeting with your local and/or state elected officials, please let us know and we'll work with you to coordinate so we have the right folks available.
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Thank you for your time and dedication to NJ Beer,
Your NJBA Board