About Us
The Cumberland Empowerment Zone is a non-profit organization whose focus is to serve as a catalyst for economic and community development in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Since 1999, the Cumberland Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC) has invested more than $20 million in Empowerment Zone funding in the County, leveraging more than $250 million in private/public funding. The program has been recognized as one of the most successful Empowerment Zones in the nation. The CEZC works to bring people and places together in a concerted effort to reclaim neighborhoods and build economic strength. This goal is accomplished through a variety of impactful projects and programs.
Cumberland County’s Empowerment Zone consists of targeted areas in Bridgeton, Millville, Vineland, and the County’s Bayshore region. The mission of the Cumberland Empowerment Zone Corporation (CEZC) is to be a catalyst for the community and economic development by providing loans to start up and existing small businesses in the disadvantaged communities of Cumberland County’s Bridgeton, Millville, Vineland and Bayshore region. To achieve this mission, the CEZC focuses on partnerships that have been developed among residents, businesses, local organizations, and various levels of government. Our vision is to increase economic vitality in key sectors of the County, by identifying and recruiting new industry for business development, creating new jobs, and promoting the retention of existing businesses. We envision thriving businesses that create financial stability, assets, and wealth for business owners and their families and that provide quality jobs and employment opportunities for those that seek them, as well as pathways for financial growth.
Loan Programs
Loan Programs
The CEZC currently administers several loan programs to benefit individuals and businesses throughout Cumberland County. They include a Micro Loan Program, a Business Loan Program, as well as the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program administered for the City of Vineland, City of Bridgeton, and City of Millville. For assistance in determining which CEZC loan program best meets your business needs, please contact the CEZC.
CEZC Micro Loan Program
The Micro Loan Program is most frequently used for small business start-ups and expansions. This program provides small businesses with the financial assistance needed to give them the best opportunity for success. In the case of new business start-ups, applications are evaluated on a realistic business plan. Micro loans for business expansions are based upon the history of the business and the realistic expectation that the expansion will generate additional profits.
Eligibility: Businesses located within the Cities of Bridgeton, Millville, Vineland, and the Cumberland County Bayshore.
Use of Funds: Inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, minor renovations and working capital. The funds cannot be used to refinance existing debt.
Loan Amounts: Up to $35,000
Borrower’s Equity: A minimum of 10%; however, use of funds determines the amount required.
Rates and Terms: Fixed and is set by the CEZC Board of Directors dependent upon use of funds, risk, and collateral.
CEZC Business Loan Program
The CEZC’s Business Loan Program is designed to provide subordinate financing to help larger projects and/or business expansions succeed. Funding is intended to fill a “gap” in financing after primary financing is secured from a bank or other lender. Staff will work closely with the borrower and primary lender to ensure an efficient application process.
Eligibility: Businesses located within the Cities of Bridgeton, Millville, Vineland, and the Cumberland County Bayshore.
Use of Funds: Acquisition of land and buildings, new construction and site improvements, renovations, acquisition of machinery and equipment, and working capital.
Loan Amounts: Loan amounts may be up to 40% of the total project costs, determined based on availability of funding, the borrower’s ability to utilize other public/private funding sources, and the project’s gap in financing. In addition to projects costs and funding sources, loan amounts are also based on job creation and community impact.
Borrower’s Equity: Applicants are required to provide at least 10% equity contribution to the project.
Rates and Terms: Based upon the structure of the financing and the EZ resident benefit.
Vineland UEZ Loan Program
The objective of the Vineland UEZ Loan Program administered by the CEZC is to provide favorable financial incentives which, when coupled with private financing, will stimulate business expansion in the Vineland UEZ. To qualify for a loan, an applicant must be certified as a UEZ business. Certification is issued by the State of New Jersey through the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation Vineland. To be certified, a project under consideration must be located within the UEZ geographic limits of the City of Vineland.
Eligibility/UEZ Certification: Borrower must remain a UEZ certified business within the City of Vineland, and maintain all outstanding tax obligations to the State of New Jersey, throughout the entire loan term.
Use of Funds: Acquisition of land and buildings, new construction and site improvements, renovations, acquisition of machinery and equipment, and working capital. These funds cannot be used to refinance existing debt or to purchase property.
Loan Amounts: Up to $125,000, determined based on availability of funding, the borrower’s ability to utilize other public/private funding sources, and the project’s gap in financing. For loans in excess of $50,000, preference is that funding be subordinate to a Primary Lender.
Borrower’s Equity: A minimum of 10%; however, use of funds determines the amount required.
Rates and Terms: Interest rates and terms are based on the structure of the financing and the resident benefit.
Want to know how you can become UEZ certified? Contact Email Nilsa
Bridgeton UEZ Loan Program
The objective of the Bridgeton UEZ Loan Program administered by the CEZC is to provide favorable financial incentives which, when coupled with private financing, will stimulate business expansion in the Bridgeton UEZ. To qualify for a loan, an applicant must be certified as a UEZ business. Certification is issued by the State of New Jersey through the Bridgeton Urban Enterprise Zone “UEZ” program. To be certified, a project under consideration must be located within the UEZ geographic limits of the City of Bridgeton.
Eligibility/UEZ Certification: Borrower must remain a UEZ certified business within the City of Bridgeton and maintain all outstanding tax obligations to the State of New Jersey, throughout the entire loan term.
Use of Funds: Acquisition of land and buildings, new construction and site improvements, renovations, acquisition of machinery and equipment, and working capital. These funds cannot be used to refinance existing debt or to purchase property.
Loan Amounts: Up to 50,000 with loan amounts based on job creation.
Borrower’s Equity: A minimum of 10%; however, use of funds determines the amount required.
Rates and Terms: 5% Fixed Rate is set and dependent upon use of funds, risk, and collateral.
Want to know how you can become UEZ certified? Contact Email Stephanie
Millville UEZ Loan Programs
The objective of the Millville UEZ Loan Program administered by the CEZC is to provide favorable financial incentives which, when coupled with private financing, will stimulate business expansion in the Millville UEZ. To qualify for a loan, an applicant must be certified as a UEZ business. Certification is issued by the State of New Jersey through the Enterprise Zone Program Corporation of Millville. To be certified, a project under consideration must be located within the UEZ geographic limits of the City of Millville.
Millville UEZ Micro Loan Program: The Micro Loan Program is most frequently used for small business start-ups and expansions. This program provides small businesses with the financial assistance needed to give them the best opportunity for success. In the case of new business start-ups, applications are evaluated on a realistic business plan. Micro loans for business expansions are based upon the history of the business and the realistic expectation that the expansion will generate additional profits. Up to $75,000.
Millville Business Loan Program: Up to $150,000.
Eligibility/UEZ Certification: Borrower must remain a UEZ certified business within the City of Millville and maintain all outstanding tax obligations to the State of New Jersey, throughout the entire loan term.
Use of Funds: Acquisition of land and buildings, new construction and site improvements, renovations, acquisition of machinery and equipment, and working capital. These funds cannot be used to refinance existing debt or to purchase property.
Loan Amounts: Up to $150,000 with loan amounts based on job creation and community impact.
Borrower’s Equity: A minimum of 10%; however, use of funds determines the amount required.
Rates and Terms: 5% Fixed Rate is set and dependent upon use of funds, risk, and collateral.
Want to know how you can become UEZ Certified ? Contact Email Nilsa
Tax Incentives
There are several tax incentives available for businesses located within Empowerment Zone census tracts or who employ residents of the Zone. Businesses are advised to work with their accountant to ensure that they are taking advantage of all tax benefits.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Allows businesses to take a credit up to $2,400 against federal taxes for each new hire from groups that have high unemployment rates or other special employment needs, including: youth ages 18 to 24, who live in an Empowerment Zone, and summer hires ages 16 to 17 who live in an Empowerment Zone.
For the purposes of tax incentive eligibility, Cumberland County’s Empowerment Zone census tracts consist of the following:
Housing Development
Together with partners Gateway Community Action Partnership and Eastern Pacific Development Corporation, the CEZC developed River Grove Family Housing within the City of Bridgeton. The River Grove development constructed 68 rental townhouses on scattered sites on South Avenue, Grove Street, Spruce Street and Ellis Streets in the Southeast Gateway neighborhood. Partial funding is provided by USDA under their Farm Worker Housing program. Funding was also generated through NJ Housing Mortgage Finance Agency’s (HMFA) Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. This development project invested more than $20 million into the community, created quality rental housing alternatives on previously vacant city-owned lots, and remediated significant environmental concerns. River Grove is part of a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization effort led by Gateway and funded through the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation.
CEZC Board of Directors
Chairperson Edward BetheaExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerGateway Community Action PartnershipBridgeton, NJ
Vice ChairpersonPreston CentuoloCEO- The Youth AllianceVineland, NJ
Secretary/Treasurer Sandra ForosiskyEconomic Deveopment Director for the City of VinelandDirector Vineland Urban Enterprise ZoneVineland, NJ
DirectorCathi InghramVice President/ Commercial Loan OfficerMillville Savings BankMillville, NJ
DirectorHector BonillaOwner- Inka Chicken Restaurant /Mexico TravelBridgeton, NJ
DirectorJoseph CalchiBusiness Administrator for the City of MillvilleMillville, NJ
DirectorAlbert B. KellyFounder, President-CEOGateway Community Action PartnershipBridgeton, NJ
DirectorCarol MussoVice President/Business DevelopmentCentury Savings BankVineland, NJ
DirectorOscar GarciaOwner- State Farm InsuranceVineland, NJ
SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP SERVICES
NJSBDC- offers free educational and business resources to help small business owners finance, market, and manage their companies. Clients are assisted in exploring their business ideas, developing and assessing their business plans, making cash flow projections, preparing accurate financial statements, and formulating marketing strategies.
NJSBDCUCEDC- is a private, non-profit economic development corporation, dedicated to boosting local economies and strengthening communities through business development and job creation. Since 1977, they have been helping small business by making loans, training and mentoring business owners, helping businesses obtain government contracts, and providing accurate and relevant business information.
UCEDCLAEDA- is a not for profit economic development organization dedicated to assisting emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners to start and grow their businesses in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Atlantic and Cumberland counties in New Jersey. LAEDA is a continuous support, mentoring and technical assistance as ways to improve the likelihood of long-term success.
LAEDANJEDA- The New Jersey Economic Development Authority grows the state’s economy and increases equitable access to opportunity by supporting high-quality job creation, catalyzing investment, and fostering vibrant, inclusive community development. NJEDA works in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality of life, enhance economic vitality, and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
NJEDANJBAC- is here to help businesses thrive, grow, and succeed across New Jersey. Tapping into our deep understanding of the current business landscape, we are able to connect you with the appropriate experts to reach your goals. Our business advocates are available to work closely with you and find solutions for your unique business needs. We can help get the answers you need from government and regulatory agencies at the local, state and federal level. We can facilitate your meetings and handle the follow-ups – confidentially and at no cost to you.
NJBACSCORE- is here to help partner with you one-on-one, SCORE mentors support your success by providing experienced advice, consulting on best practices, and educating you on small business topics. They offer workshops to help you in your business journey at low cost or no cost to you.
SCOREUrban Enterprise Zone – The UEZ offers many benefits that businesses can receive if certified, reduced retail sales tax of 3.5% for retail vendors, exemption from state sales tax for property and services at business locations, including construction materials, unemployment insurance tax offset for first four years, credit against the corporation Business Tax Act liability of $1,500 per employee, priority in state financing programs, job skill training, six-year municipal real estate tax abatement program. For more information on how your business can be UEZ certified click on the links below.
