Representatives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) visited Mill Hill Pharmacy yesterday to highlight funding the Trenton-based small business received through the NJEDA’s Small Business Lease Assistance Program. The Small Business Lease Assistance Program offers reimbursement of a percentage of annual lease payments to small businesses leasing new or additional space in targeted areas of the state.
Owned and operated by registered pharmacists Elina Elkind and Tatyana Orlava, Mill Hill Pharmacy, located at 334 S Broad Street in Trenton, prides itself on providing “old-fashioned customer service” and an extensive variety of services to the local community. The funding provided by NJEDA will allow Mill Hill Pharmacy to create job opportunities for area residents, with a particular focus on those who can communicate in Spanish and ensure the needs of neighborhood residents are met.
“We believe that our customers-first mentality and one-on-one personalized attention set us apart from large chain pharmacies,” Elkind said. “Thanks to the NJEDA, we can put the money we’re saving on rent back into the business, including hiring employees and increasing our inventory, both of which will benefit the local community.”
Through the Small Business Lease Assistance Program, the pharmacy is expected to receive nearly $6,000 in rent support over a two-year period. The program was established to encourage businesses to locate and grow in eligible commercial areas of targeted urban areas.
Yesterday’s visit, which included NJEDA Managing Director of Business Development Paul Ceppi and Director of Small Business Services Christina Fuentes, also highlighted the recent expansion of the Small Business Lease Assistance Program to support small businesses in additional cities. In addition to existing eligible areas of Atlantic City, Camden, Passaic, Paterson, and Trenton, the program was expanded earlier this year to also include Bridgeton, Jersey City, Millville, Mt. Holly, Phillipsburg, Plainfield, Salem, and Vineland.
“The Small Business Lease Assistance Program is a resource that will attract small businesses like Mill Hill Pharmacy to downtown corridors, helping cities further develop main streets and support small business activity in these areas,” Ceppi said. “The program is one of many initiatives that are helping to support investment in communities – one of the key pillars of Governor Phil Murphy’s vision for a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy.”
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
To learn more about NJEDA resources, call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
