Creator Receives $15,000 As Morris County Grant Program Surpasses 600 Approvals
A new free Morris County small business app was officially launched today in Parsippany Township by Zoomus Marketing, which was simultaneously awarded a $15,000 grant under the Morris County Small Business Grant Program. Read also : Weed rush: How Saline handles an influx of marijuana business offers.
“After much research, today I am launching a new app available on Google Play and the Apple Store called MORRIS NOW,” said Frank Cahill, owner of Zoomus. “MORRIS NOW connects local businesses in Morris County with more than 500,000 residents. Residents can download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store completely free of charge.”
The announcement was made during a news conference at the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce offices on Halsey Road. Among those in attendance were members of the Morris County Board of Commissioners, Parsippany Mayor Jamie Barberio, Council President Michael dePierro, Vice President Loretta Gragnani and Councilmember Justin Musella.
Mayor Barberio commended Cahill for creating the Morris Now app and noted that Cahill has dedicated himself to improving business in Parsippany in his other roles as editor of Parsippany Focus and Morris Focus, member of the executive board of the Area Chamber of Commerce. of Parsippany and chairman of the Parsippany Economic Development Advisory Committee.
“I’m so glad I met Frank because when I tell you that he’s really committed to economic development in Parsippany, he’s really committed and this is a perfect example of that. Thank you for your commitment to Parsippany,” the mayor said.
Morris County Deputy Commissioner John Krickus and Commissioners Thomas Mastrangelo and Stephen Shaw simultaneously announced that Zoomus and Cahill had qualified to receive $15,000 under the Morris County Small Business Grant Program, which is designed to help small businesses small businesses that are still affected by the pandemic to cover specific expenses. incurred after March 3, 2022.
“I’m a small business owner, so I’ve seen firsthand what small businesses have been up against,” Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo said. “One thing about these grants, and I’ve talked to some small businesses in my town that got them, it’s given them hope and it’s given them a sense to go out there and compete a little bit. Part of what these grants have done is put a little more fuel in their engines, it’s given them a boost and it’s helped them not give up.”
Deputy Director Krickus noted that the program has already approved more than 600 grant applications submitted by small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
“Since our February launch in Dover, more than 600 Morris County small businesses have taken advantage of this program to help them recover and expand,” said Krickus.
“It has been a great asset to our businesses,” Commissioner Shaw added, urging more businesses to apply quickly. “We’re down from our total pool of $10 million to about $1.3 million and we’re going to close applications on September 30.”
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert J. Peluso, Parsippany Economic Development Co-Chair Dr. Bhagirath Maheta, and Ed Ramirez, Director of Business Resources for the Morris County Economic Development Corporation, they also spoke at the event and praised the small grants program and Cahill’s vision. in the development of the MORRIS NOW application.
The MORRIS NOW app combines shopping, area events, local news, weather, neighborhood chats, and local classifieds all in one place. Local businesses can use it to promote deals and special offers.
“Send direct messages to customers. Powerful Bluetooth proximity marketing. The beacon sends the commercial promotions to the devices of the customers who spend with the application. The app also allows promotions and links. The app also includes in-depth promotional analytics. The app also automatically sends a “happy birthday message” to business customers,” Cahill said.
Apply Now for a Morris County Small Business Grant!
morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com
The Morris County Small Grants Program was the brainchild of the Morris County Commissioners as they developed a unique use of funds issued to the county through the American Bailout Act. Federal guidelines only allow Morris County to apply the dollars to pandemic-related expenses incurred during and after March 2021.
Federal guidelines covering the grant program will determine exactly which expenses qualify for coverage and which applications may be approved. Grants are capped at $15,000 per applicant. However, business owners and non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit applications that include all costs that they believe may qualify for the grant.
Top Right: Cahill at the podium explaining how his MORRIS NOW app works. With him (l-r) were Commissioners Krickus, Mastrangelo and Shaw.
Top Left: Cahill and commissioners are joined at the announcement by (left) Parsippany Councilmember Musella and Mayor Barberio, and at far right, Parsippany Council President Michael dePierro and Vice President Michael dePierro. Loretta Gragnani.
Center Right: Cutting a celebratory cake at the event, with Cahill, was former Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, a local small business owner.
Bottom left: The Parsippany Area Chamber and other businesspeople joined the event.
