Verification of SBIG program errors
Dear New Jersey Economic Development Authority,
This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Records requested:
I reviewed the EDA data for the SBIG. I then placed the EDA on notice of errors with approximately 60% of applications inappropriately applying for grant funds reserved for opportunity zones. I provided the EDA with my analysis.
Please provide records which confirm reciept of my analysis and any records showing that EDA verified my analysis and made corrections to the impacted applications.
Very truly yours,
Edythe Salade
Hello Edythe. Attached please find documents responsive to your request.
Please also see the below guidance provided by staff with regard to the
analysis to be read in conjunction with the attached:
You need to select "...the proper information for their [your] analysis.
The location record is checked prior to approval as well.
I pulled this from our board memo as well.
The Small Business Improvement Grant provides reimbursement for costs
associated with making building improvements or purchasing new furniture,
fixtures and equipment. A total of $15 million of Main Street Recovery
Finance Program funding will be utilized to capitalize the Small Business
Improvement Grant. Of this $15 million, 40 percent ($6 million) will be
reserved for businesses located in a census tract that was eligible to be
selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e. a New Market Tax Credit
census tract). There are 715 census tracks that were eligible to be
Opportunity Zones in New Jersey. Setting aside a portion of available
funding under the Small Business Lease Assistance Grant to support
entities in these census tracts further reinforces the State’s commitment
to helping to ensure all Opportunity Zone eligible tracts in New Jersey
receive opportunities for investment that are equitable and inclusive.”
The request is completed and closed.
Regards,
Marcus
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Marcus J. Saldutti, Esq.
Senior Legal Affairs Officer
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
1 Gateway Center | Suite 1410 | Newark, New Jersey | 07102
Office: 973-855-3452
[mobile number]-414-1423
For information about NJEDA’s products and services, please visit us on
the web: [2]www.njeda.com
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Dear Marcus Saldutti,
I review the documents responsive and in particular the screen shots. My analysis is limited to the opportunity zones as defined in the NJEDA press release. The language there appears more narrow than the interpretation attached as responsive to this request. I don't understand the apparent discordance.
Yours sincerely,
Edythe Salade