In keeping with its mission to support the Morristown downtown business community, the Morristown Partnership (“Partnership”) is pleased to announce plans to provide commercial rent relief to area small businesses. A minimum of $250,000, in aggregate, will be awarded to businesses who apply, are selected via lottery and meet eligibility requirements; award amounts will vary, with no one business receiving more than $20,000.
Applications for the three (3) month rent relief will be accepted beginning Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. up until and including Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Detailed eligibility requirements are now available on this webpage. Beginning September 23, 2020 applications will be made available online; printed applications and grant program information can also be obtained at the Partnership office located at 14 Maple Avenue, Suite 201 in Morristown during business hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At the conclusion of the two (2) week application window, applicants will be entered into a random lottery system to ensure fair and transparent selection of grant award recipients. Once verified, businesses selected via lottery will be contacted on or about October 15, 2020. Grant awards will be used exclusively for three (3) months of rent, not to exceed $20,000 total, commencing November 2020 and concluding January 2021.
A mandatory requirement of all applications is the participation of the businesses’ property owner who must comply with a 20 percent rent reduction for the duration of the three (3) months. Grant awards will be paid in one lump sum directly to the property owner.
While one benefactor was the catalyst that launched the Morristown Partnership Commercial Rent Relief Grant Program, additional donors have already pledged their support of additional funds. Those interested in contributing to the program are urged to contact the Morristown Partnership via email to grants@morristown-nj.org or call (973) 455-1133.