There is no let-up in the sky-high prices that are impacting residents and businesses. Consumer prices rose more than expected over the past year, according to the latest reading of the Consumer Price Index, an index used by the government to track the price of products. Inflation surged 7.5% on an annual basis, the highest reading in nearly 40 years. The cost of basics like food and shelter are still rising. There was a big jump in energy costs and car prices.
The state will soon accept applications for a new round of funding in the Sustain and Serve program, which provides organizations with grants to purchase meals from New Jersey restaurants impacted by COVID-19. The organizations then deliver those meals at no cost to residents in need. The state is allocating $10 million of federal COVID-19 relief money for this latest phase of Sustain and Serve, and is expected to start taking applications on March 1.
The head of the Small Business Administration, Isabella Guzman, is marking Black History Month by stating the SBA is committed to breaking down barriers for Black-owned businesses that can’t obtain capital and other resources. There is some headway on that front, according to John Harmon, who leads the African American Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey. Harmon believes more movement is needed in the public sector, and he’d like to see an increase in the number of state contracts awarded to minority firms.
New Jersey will be receiving more than $15 million to help build electric vehicle charging stations. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) announced the funding amount Thursday as part of an effort to build a national network of EV chargers.
