City of Trenton Partners with Local Influencers on Video Campaign Promoting Local Businesses

The first three videos are already live on Trenton’s Influencer Business Features Channel on YouTube

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today announced that the Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) is broadening its support of local businesses by partnering with 12 Trenton influences in music, arts, and local news as part of a video campaign showcasing a variety of Trenton businesses over the next few weeks.

“Many of our businesses are household names run by close friends and family in the Trenton community,” said Mayor Gusciora. “This video campaign will help show the world what we have known along: this city has a rich, diverse local economy that’s worth investing in. We welcome anyone looking to live, work or just visit Trenton to take a preview of what awaits them in the Capital City.”

“I am excited about this project,” said Eric Maywar, HED Economic Development Specialist at the City of Trenton, “We will go behind the scenes of Trenton manufacturers and see what goes on. We will go into the kitchens with Trenton chefs and learn what makes their food so delicious. We will feature both popular businesses and hidden gems you may not have heard of.”

This video project is part of a comprehensive digital and financial strategy undertaken by HED to support Trenton businesses throughout the pandemic. In addition to spearheading the video campaign, Maywar runs the Trenton Eat Local Club, which meets once a month to enjoy and discuss food from featured Trenton restaurants. Now those meetings are taking place over zoom and focus on Trenton’s many take out options. Maywar also runs the ‘Shop Trenton’ Facebook and YouTube channels, which feature content and events from hundreds of Trenton businesses.

Meanwhile the City continues to offer multiple financial support tools, including an emergency loan program that helps cover payroll, rent, mortgage and utility costs. To date, 39 emergency loans totaling more than half a million dollars have successfully closed.

The City also partnered with N.J. Community Capital to create a New Job Creation Loan Program to help existing and prospective Trenton businesses hire more employees. More recently, the City started a Business Improvement Grant, which pays for half of a building improvement project for new or incoming businesses.

Any business owner looking for more information about any of these resources should visit Trenton’s Business Recovery Center or contact Maywar directly at emaywar@trentonnj.org.

The following Trenton Influences will be showcasing Trenton businesses on these pages:

• Harlem Globetrotter LaKeisha Sutton, Fan Favorite
  • Musician Josue Lora
  • William Saunders of The Munk Show
  • Adrian Dace and Comedian Watts of Wats On My Brain
  • Frank Sasso of New Pod City
  • Jeannine LaRue of the LaRuelist Café
  • Tony Goggles of D.I.Why? Films
  • Jacque Howard of Trenton 365
  • Val Posso of AdvertiseIt
  • Djenaba Figueroa of TRIBE
  • Jeff Stewart of A Different Path Films
  • James Peeples of the Infinitely Focused Podcast