USDA invests in William Paterson Program

Rick Stern

Columbus, NJ — U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s NJ State director Rick Stern announced an investment that will help small and emerging businesses in rural NJ access the tools and support they need to formalize, grow and sustain their operations.

William Patterson University of New Jersey is receiving a Rural Business Development Grant of $128,000 to support the delivery of technical assistance, business training, access to capital, and digital transformation resources for rural entrepreneurs. This 12-month hybrid learning program will be implemented by the NJ Small Business Development Center at William Patterson University in coordination with local economic development agencies and federal partners, including USDA Rural Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Rural small businesses are the backbone of our local economies,” said Stern. “This program ensures that rural entrepreneurs have access to the training, technology and financial resources they need not only to compete, but to thrive.”

The project is expected to create or save up to 46 jobs while assisting participating rural businesses strengthen their operations, pursue new growth opportunities, and secure funding to expand.

This investment is part of USDA’s ongoing commitment to ensure rural communities have the tools and resources necessary to build resilient and sustainable local economies.