PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Five million dollars in lease assistance money is on the way to small businesses in New Jersey.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the grant money, which comes from CARES Act funding, is for businesses affected by the pandemic.

"The program has already assisted 1,000 businesses located in the 64 municipalities where the redevelopment authority operates," he said.

Christina Renna with the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey said rent, lease and utility bills are some of the major hurdles she sees businesses dealing with as they try to stay afloat.

"This addition to the grant program is going to go a long way. Small businesses especially struggled across the board due to the impact of the pandemic," she said.

Renna believes many local areas need more attention and more money than what's being provided. 

"I think it's a good approach by the governor's office," she conceded, before adding, "I will say this: of the 64 municipalities, less than 20 are here in the South Jersey region." 

Renna said she'll continue to campaign for shore towns to get more funding.
It was especially disapointing to see that no municipalities in Cape May County, where they were hit especially hard due to the impact of the tourism industry and how that was impacted through the course of the summer," she lamented.

The application process for the program opens February 22. Visit the state's website for information on requirements.