Lakewood UEZ Co-Op Advertising Program a Boon to 11 Small Businesses
For a small business, receiving a 50 percent matching grant for advertising and marketing is like winning the lottery. According to Patricia Komsa, executive director of the Lakewood Development Corporation, eleven certified UEZ Lakewood businesses hit the jackpot this January.
Each business will receive a matching grant up to $5,000 per quarter with an annual maximum of $20,000 to cover the cost of actual advertising. The advertising grants include print ads in newspapers or magazines, radio ads, certain Internet programs, and even billboards; but do not include such costs as graphic design, and operational and administrative fees, among others.
Komsa, who is also the coordinator of the Urban Enterprise Zone, says, “The Urban Enterprise Zone Authority in Trenton has approved the Co-op Advertising Program to help increase the growth and development of small businesses. The thinking is that advertising should generate more customers; and this, in turn, will lead to business growth and even an increase in employment opportunities.”
The following Lakewood businesses received matching Co-op Advertising grants from the Lakewood UEZ: A Shoe Dream, Prescriptions R Us, DB Electronics, Tips & Toque, Toy Traders, Twin City Jewelers, American Stair and Rail, On Site Fleet Service, Sew Much More, NJ Appliance (dba Rainbow Appliance) and Beau Décor.
Yaakov Goldstein, owner of a Shoe Dream, says, “I am proud to be a part of a township that has an organization that understands how to help small businesses like ours, especially in today’s economy.”
Yehuda Abraham, director of business development, says, “If you are not UEZ certified, please call for information about how to become a designated UEZ business. When economic times are bad, businesses typically cut their advertising, which is probably the worst thing they can do because advertising is a proven way to attract customers.”
If a business is not UEZ certified or for further questions, call Yehuda Abraham in the Lakewood UEZ office at 732-364-2500 Ext. 5217. Businesses interested in applying for a matching co-op advertising grants should contact the Lakewood Development Corporation at 732-363-2500 Ext. 5257 or visit twp.lakewood.nj.us for more information. Interested parties can always visit the UEZ office, Room 12 of the Lakewood Municipal, 231 Third Street, Lakewood, for more information. ###