Some small businesses could get help from former Gov. Chris Christie and first lady Mary Pat. The couple is launching a nonprofit to give short-term loans to small businesses across New Jersey. Companies that employ between three to 30 workers are able to apply.

The New Jersey 30-day Fund is modeled after a similar program in Virginia. Loans up to $3,o00 will be forgivable. The Christies put in $100,000 to start the organization and they’re asking fellow New Jerseyans to contribute to the cause.

The couple made the announcement Friday on Good Morning America. The former governor has been an outspoken proponent of reopening the economy.

“What I think will work for the country in the long term is a balance to be struck. We’re not going to be risk-free in America unless and until there’s a vaccine, so we need to open up business and our institutions and let people do the things you’re seeing right there — wear masks, wash hard surfaces, socially distance when you can. Those are all things that need to be done. But we can’t keep our country closed any longer because last month, Amy, one statistic — the biggest diagnosis of anything in the month of May was mental health disorders. People need to get back to their lives. Keeping us closed is costing lives as well,” Christie said.