Archive for Uncategorized

Date: April 24, 2020 Dear Friends, I want to thank all of our essential workers for their dedication – not just the doctors, nurses, health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the fight against this pandemic – but all of the people who are working in grocery stores, picking up our trash and recycling every week, and providing all of the other vital services we need. I want you to know that I will continue to do everything I can, within the law, to keep you and your families safe and healthy. We can get through this together. I also want you to know that I will do everything I can to get everybody back to work, so you can continue to feed your families, pay your bills and return to... Read More

Please note that there are two new items available by New Jersey Department of Health; “Quick Guidance for Bars and Restaurants” and “Quick Guidance for Retail Businesses” They may be found at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schoolbusiness.shtml.... Read More

Date: April 17, 2020 Dear Friends, I want to thank everyone again for adhering to all of the many restrictions in place to slow the spread of coronavirus. We need to continue to be vigilant to prevent the exponential growth of infections that other areas of the state are experiencing. I also want there to be hope. We are starting to plan for the day when we can begin to reopen Ocean City. One thing is certain: We do not want to risk a second wave of infections. It will not be business-as-usual this summer. But there will be a summer. I am working with City Council, the mayors of shore towns, county and state officials, and public health experts on a coordinated effort to plan for the future. This includes discussions of when and... Read More

Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan applications open today, Monday, April 13, 2020. In response to the economic challenges being faced by New Jersey small businesses due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has created the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. The $10 million program will make direct low-cost financing available to allow New Jersey small businesses and non-profits to cover operating expenses and ensure continuity of operations during the outbreak. Click here for more info and to apply.... Read More

What is included in the pending Executive Order on construction closures and social distancing guidelines? Governor Murphy announced on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, a pending Executive Order that will impact business operations across the State of New Jersey. This Executive Order generally covers: Closure of Non-Essential Construction All non-essential construction across the state will cease, indefinitely, effective 8 p.m. Friday. Exceptions to this shut-down include: projects at our hospitals and schools, in our transportation and utility sector, the building of affordable housing, other individual housing sites that can adhere to strict limits on the number of workers on-site at any given time, emergency repairs, and work needed to safely secure a construction site, and other limited instances. New Guidelines for Essential Retail Stores All essential retail must indefinitely limit the number of customers in their stores... Read More

Date: April 7, 2020 Dear Friends, I hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected during these trying times. I fully understand the sacrifices we all are making and the fear of what may lie ahead. Many of you have asked me to close the bridges. I do not have that authority. I have worked with City Council to close the beach, boardwalk, public buildings, parks and recreational facilities. These actions all make it easier to follow the governor’s strict orders to shelter in place and eliminate nonessential travel. My responsibility as mayor is to do everything within my power and within the law to protect the people of our community. Your responsibility is to follow the directives issued by the governor and public health experts to slow the spread of the pandemic.... Read More

Today's Coronavirus News for New Jersey Business 4/3/2020 RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Apply Now - Today, applications are being accepted for two different funding programs for small businesses. All the information is below: N.J. Economic Development Authority's Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program The State's Program - The N.J. Economic Development Authority this morning began accepting applications for grants of up to $5,000 under its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. Get more information and get the application here. Apply Early - Businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as there is expected to be high demand for the program that is currently capped at $5 million. Call for Help - The NJEDA has established the toll-free number 844-965-1125 for inquiries related to its Small Business Emergency Assistance offerings. The hours are Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.;... Read More

URGENT NEWS Act Fast - The N.J. Economic Development Authority will begin accepting applications for small business emergency assistance grants starting this Friday, April 3, at 9 a.m. Applications will be accepted for a week, or until funds run out for this particular grant, the NJEDA said. Applications for other NJEDA COVID-19 programs, including no/low interest loans, will be available in the coming weeks. More info on the EDA offerings can be found here. Breaking - The New Jersey state tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15 to July 15, Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced this morning. The new date matches the new Federal tax deadline. State Fiscal Year Extended - Additionally, the state fiscal year (which ends on June 30) will be extended to Sept. 30, Murphy, Sweeney and Coughlin said. They... Read More

Date: March 22, 2020 Dear Friends, I just finished a conference call with N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy’s staff and local mayors. Whether we like it or not, COVID-19 is already here in Ocean City, in Cape May County, in New Jersey and throughout the nation and world. Wishing it was not that way and attacking each other will not stop the virus whatsoever. Doing what has been asked of us will.  I’ve listened to, and heard of many instances of, people turning on each other through social media. It’s sad and it’s wrong. I’m asking you all to stop.  I have always taken pride in the fact that Ocean City comes together as a community in times of crisis — as we did after Sandy and so many other times. We live in an interconnected world.... Read More