Do you have an idea for a brilliant business but don’t know how to bring that vision to life? With the Downtown Trenton Business Plan competition, you can!
Downtown Trenton is thriving, with many businesses covering any shopper’s needs. From delicious restaurants to bookstores, clothing shops, and more, our community is bustling with entrepreneurs bringing vibrancy to the city. And now, your business can be a part of the landscape! The Downtown Trenton Neighborhood Preservation Campaign is currently seeking business proposals in the Downtown area. Two business ideas will then be selected to receive $5,000 towards the lease or purchase of a commercial space in Downtown Trenton. Please refer to the map below for guidelines regarding the location parameters.
The timeline for applications is as follows:
- All entry forms must be submitted by June 30th, 2023. Entry forms can be filled out here: Entry Form – Business Plan Competition. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years or older, be legal residents or US citizens, and the business must operate within the confines listed above. Companies applying must also have less than $10,000 in revenue to qualify. Finally, applicants must propose a for-profit business.
- Upon applying, qualifying applicants must meet with an SBDC business advisor or other business improvement plan by August 31st, 2023. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, the Business Plan Competition team will email the applicant further instructions on meeting with a business advisor.
- Business plans must be submitted by no later than September 5th, 2023. A business plan template can be accessed here: NPP StartUp Business Plan. Upon submission, all winners will be notified by October 31st, 2023.
Starting a business is no easy feat, but abundant resources are here to help bring your business dreams to life. This competition is hosted by the Downtown Trenton Neighborhood Preservation Program, a five-year grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs that is designed to generate visible, tangible change in the Downtown Neighborhood. The initiative supports the thriving Downtown community through several efforts, including commercial facades, residential facades, and small business support. In addition, through unifying citizens and representatives from local businesses, these efforts help to forge a community we can all be proud to call home. To read more about their initiatives, please visit the DTNPP website here: Home – DTNPP.
Trenton’s entrepreneurs are indeed the backbone of the community, and we’re sure that dozens of Trentonians have a brilliant business concept just waiting to become a reality. If you have any questions or want to learn more before getting started, please get in touch with Coordinator Chris Shimchick at [email protected] for additional details. If you’re ready to be part of Downtown Trenton’s marvelous mosaic of small businesses, apply today!
