Open A Business On Central Avenue
Central Avenue and the Jersey City Heights neighborhood welcome your business. Please be sure to explore all the resources provided below to learn more about doing business on Central Avenue and in Jersey City. Information about the day-to-day operation on Central Avenue (garbage collection, sidewalk maintenance, etc.) is available on the FAQ page.
After reading through this webpage and Doing Business on Central Avenue, your next step should be to contact the CASID office and schedule a meeting to converse about your plan to open a Jersey City storefront business. Congratulations on your decision to become a Jersey City business owner and best of luck!
The “Special Improvement District” is Here to Support Your Business
“Special Improvement District” (SID) programs function as a public/ private partnership between the municipality and private stakeholders (businesses and commercial property owners within the district) to supplement, not substitute, government services. Much like a chamber of commerce organization, it is here to help the business community as a whole be successful. Because business does not begin and end at the front door, SID programs offer a number of benefits to improve the district and neighborhood it serves. New business owners especially can benefit from the SID program by using it as a resource to navigate through municipal government during the startup process. Operating a business in a commercial district with a SID is better than being in a commercial district without one. All business and commercial property owners within the district are considered CASID members.
Learn More About Central Avenue’s SID/ Central Avenue SID At Work
Available Commercial Space On Central Avenue
Jersey City continues to grow and new business opportunities appear every day. If you have what it takes to make it in business then consider becoming part of the Central Avenue Special Improvement District.
Business Incentives – Urban Enterprise Zone/ Funding
The Central Avenue business district is in the State of New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program. What does that mean to businesses within the district? It means that businesses participating in the program can access a number of financial programs designed to stimulate job creation and business growth.
More About the Jersey City Urban Enterprise Zone Program
Other Financial Business Incentives (hard copies are available in the CASID office):
- EDA Microloan Fund = $1,000 – $5,000
- Small Business Investors Fund = $5,000 to $10,000
- The Jersey City Fund = $25,000 to $250,000
Starting a Business in Jersey City
Visit the City of Jersey City website to learn about filing and registering your business, permits, and licenses, forms, and fees required for Jersey City licenses, and much more. Below is a sample of the information they offer. The Jersey City Small Business Navigator is one of several Jersey City Office of Innovation initiatives created to help better support small businesses and revitalize neighborhood business districts.
What’s in a name?
The State of NJ, through its Business Gateway Service, allows you to check the availability and/or reserve names for your business. Note that according to the website “Sole proprietors and partnerships do not reserve a business name”. However, if you are starting a sole proprietorship or a general partnership and intend to operate under a trading name or a name that includes the designation “and company” or “& co.,” you are required to register your business’s name with the County Clerk of the county or counties in which you intend to conduct or transact business. Check for a business name.
Filing and registering your business
Again, the State of NJ provides general assistance on registering your business.
Permits and Licenses
Depending on the nature of your business, the State of New Jersey may require that you obtain either a license, permit, and/or certification. Get more information on licenses and permits.
Forms and fees
Get copies of the required State forms, including a Business Registration Package.
Registering your business in Hudson County
You can register your new business with the Office of the Clerk either in person or by mail. Get more information.
Required Jersey City licenses
Don’t give up, you’re almost there. Depending on what type of business you plan to open, the City of Jersey City also requires certain licenses. Naturally, your place of business needs to conform to existing construction and zoning codes. Your landlord and/or contractor should be aware of these. The following is a list of licenses issued by the City and which Division is responsible for issuing them. For more information on licenses and fees, visit the respective division’s web pages or call the divisions for assistance.
Auto Repair Shop | Division of Commerce |
Peddler’s license | Division of Commerce |
Taxicab, Limousine, Tow Truck | Division of Commerce |
Food establishment (Grocery, Restaurant, etc) | Division of Health |
Itinerant License (food) | Division of Health |
Hotel License Renewal Form | Division of Housing Code Enforcement |
Retail Florist | Division of Commerce |
Municipal laws Jersey City businesses should know
Municipal laws can vary from one local government to another. New entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike can save time, money, and hassles by being familiar with the local laws that regulate businesses. For its business members, the CASID provides an online resource outlining which Municipal Codes To Know for Businesses on Central Avenue.
Opportunities for Local, Minority-Owned and/or Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE)
The Jersey City Office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) works to provide equal access and equal opportunity in employment, procurement, and contracting within Jersey City. To ensure that various contractors abide by the terms of their Project Employment and Contracting Agreement and other Federal, State and Local regulations, EEO/AA maintains a list of business contracting opportunities. While these opportunities are not bid solicitations for City government projects and are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory, the City encourages MWBEs to submit quotations. Get more information.