Business

The first provision of New Jersey’s commitment to reduce plastics pollution statewide will take effect on Thursday, November 4 when food-service businesses may provide single-use plastic straws to a customer only upon request. Food-service businesses includes all restaurants, convenience stores and fast-food businesses.  Consumers will still be able to purchase packages of straws and beverages prepackaged with a straw, such as juice boxes, after November  4. 

New rules creating a cottage food operator (home baker) permit became effective as of October 4, 2021.

The 5th Annual Middlesex County Business Summit returns virtually on Thursday, October 21 from 8:30-10:30am.

SCORE is committed to helping all entrepreneurs succeed.  Hispanic-owned small businesses have grown 34% and contributed $500B to the U.S. economy over the last 10 years -- and show no signs of slowing down. Despite growth and accelerating impact, Hispanic business owners face very real challenges. SCORE can help you meet those challenges with free mentoring, workshops and resources.

Read more about SCORE here

Relief is available from FEMA, NJEDA and SBA for businesses impacted by Hurricane Ida.

FEMA representatives will meet with residents and business owners seeking information and assistance from damages associated with the remnants of Hurricane IDA. On Friday, September 24, 2021, FEMA will see residents between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick NJ.                                                                                                       

Jump start your career with a Google Career Certificate. Prepare for entry-level positions in data analytics, project management, user experience design and IT support. No college degree or relevant experience required. Long Branch (NJ) Public LIbrary is offering a limited number of scholarships, and guidance to scholarship recipients. Questions? Contact Kate Angelo: kangelo@longbranchlib.org

Learn more about Google Career Certificates

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced its 2021 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit for September 13-15, 2021. This year’s events will spotlight the resilience of America’s entrepreneurs and the renewal of the small business economy as they build back better from the economic crisis brought on by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. The virtual summit will honor the nation’s 30 million small businesses for their perseverance, ingenuity, triumphs, and creativity.   

Advance your career or prepare for a new one with continuing education classes at Middlesex College.

• Uniform Construction Code
• Computers and Technology
• Culinary
• Allied Health
• Business and Management
• Home-Based Business
• English as a Second Language
• Corporate Education and Training
• Apprenticeships/Manufacturing
• Personal Enrichment

Find out more here

EBPL Tech is offering a summer web series to introduce fun and useful web design tools to make you web pages more attractive and maximize your creativity. These classes are for adults and teens (15 years and up).

"Leading Locally in the Fourth Industrial Revolution" is the second in a series of business events offered by the Middlesex County Office of Business Engagement. It takes place on Thursday, September 9 from 8:00 am - 10:00 am at Middlesex County College.  The LIVE event will focus on the advances in autonomous technology that will continue to disrupt traditional business models and what this means for our professional and personal lives. :

The 5th Annual Business Summit will take place on October 21.  Both events are free and open to the public.