The Garden State, as New Jersey is often known, sits near New York and the Atlantic Ocean. It is an area that’s noted for its many waterfront areas including along the Delaware River. Though the state is small in terms of overall land size, it is home to over 9.3 million people, making it one of the more densely populated areas in the country. The largest city is Trenton, with other large cities including Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson. New Jersey’s location has allowed it to be an important role player both in the development and founding of the country and in the growth of New York City. It’s not uncommon for people to work in NYC and live in New Jersey. With a thriving culture and a lot of character, this is one state that has much to offer those who live here.
When it comes to the economy of New Jersey, it is just as diverse and versatile as that of the state itself. The state’s economy is based on many things, including the pharmaceutical industry, information tech, financials, biotech, and agriculture. There is also a large scientific economy present here. While these major industries exist, New Jersey is also home to a wide range of small businesses, including those in the service industry, creatives, artisans, and much more. The U.S. Small Business Administration says there are 953,416 small businesses operating in the state. Those companies provide 1.9 million jobs for those that live here, making up a significant amount of the state’s workforce. Payroll for these businesses amounts to $96,576,052.
When it comes to funding those businesses, it is often necessary to turn to small business loans. There are a variety of lenders available, each with a wide range of loans to offer. The most recent data from the Small Business Administration for the last three years shows there are 4,047 small business loans in place right now, with a total loan value of $2,871,431,854 in New Jersey. More so, the average loan size for companies in the state is $709,521. Those are funds that companies can use for many needs, including to help them grow.
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How small business loans work in New Jersey
Small businesses in New Jersey are typically companies that have under 100 employees. These companies are vital to the growth and success of the state’s economy, which is why funding their capital needs is so important. New Jersey small business lenders are available to do this, often offering millions of dollars in loans to companies in a wide range of industries. What’s important to know is that these business loans are designed to be as flexible and versatile as businesses themselves.
All small business loans require borrowers to repay the amount borrowed in installment payments over a period of time. There is interest on these loans, which can range widely from as low as 5% on up. The interest helps compensate lenders for their availability of capital, and the amount of interest paid is nearly always dependent on the company’s ability to repay the debt. To determine that, lenders will take a closer look at the company’s financials, including profit and loss statements, bank statements, and balance sheets. They are looking not just at profit but also at the company’s ability to repay debts.
Small business lenders often offer loans to companies for a wide range of purposes. Though these are not typically loans used to start up a company, they can be used to help fund the growth of a company in various ways, such as new equipment, modernization, new product launches, and more. Some of the most common types of small business loans include:
- Bank and credit union loans
- SBA backed loans from SBA.gov
- Business term loans
- Business lines of credit
- Equipment financing
As a business owner, it is possible to turn to any of these lenders – private and public companies – to borrow capital for a wide range of needs. The funds borrowed are often dependent on the qualifications of the company, including the credit history of the business or the business’s owner. More so, lenders want to know what the business is and what the company’s competition is.
For those small business owners starting up as a nonprofit, small business grants or special nonprofit grants may be available to you as well. As you expand your search for financial assistance and business financing, don’t forget to include those resources, if applicable. Some alternative financial options include statewide grants for business needs, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Small Business Development Center, an economic development corporation, small business funds, microloans, the New Jersey Business Action Center, local assistance programs, real estate loans, and community development centers. Further, if you meet specific requirements as a women-owned business or minority-owned business, you may be eligible for other funds, too. There are many initiatives out there beyond lending partners. Upcoming events can help you see all that is available to you in the business community.
To help with your cash flow in entrepreneurship, these might give you some assistance to start with, but ultimately, you might need more funds that come to you via a small business loan. Direct loans all have unique eligibility requirements, so it’s good to have a variety of lending partners to evaluate in your financing options.