Trenton Announces Downtown Business Plan Competition

Trenton, N.J. – The Downtown Trenton Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) and the City of Trenton are excited to announce the Downtown Trenton NPP Business Plan Competition, in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The College of New Jersey. The competition aims to promote economic growth and development in the area by providing local entrepreneurs with an opportunity to grow their skills and showcase their innovative business ideas.

Mayor W. Reed Gusciora affirmed, “This is a fantastic opportunity to stimulate the local economy, which can support and empower Trentonians to own their own businesses in our great Capital City. I encourage all local entrepreneurs to consider competing in the Downtown Trenton NPP Business Plan Competition this year.”

The competition will be open to local entrepreneurs not yet operating in Trenton’s downtown area. Participants must meet at least once (either in-person or over Zoom) with a business development expert through the SBDC and submit a business plan outlining their vision for their new downtown business, including details on the target market, marketing strategy, financial projections, and more.

Judges will select two winning entries to receive $5,000 each towards leasing a downtown space for their business. Additionally, the NPP Project Team will provide free business development support to grow their business and assist the winners in identifying suitable spaces within the Downtown Trenton NPP area. Additionally, entrepreneurs are eligible to receive loan and grant support from the City of Trenton’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program.

“We are thrilled to launch this competition and support local entrepreneurs in Trenton,” said NPP Coordinator, Chris Shimchick. “We believe that by providing entrepreneurs with resources and funding, we can help revitalize the local economy, reactivate vacant properties, and support a vibrant, thriving community in downtown.”

The competition will be open for entry submissions from May 1st until June 30th. Participants must meet with an SBDC expert by August 31 and submit a business plan by September 5, 2023. Two winners will be announced by October 31, 2023. 

To apply for the Downtown Trenton NPP Business Plan Competition or to learn more, please visit www.nppdowntowntrenton.org/2023businessplancompetition.

About the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP):

The Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) is a five-year grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs that is designed to generate visible, tangible change in the Downtown Neighborhood driven by local residents and business owners. Downtown Trenton is one of 40 NPP neighborhoods statewide.