The HCEDC joined the Passaic County Division of Economic Development for a Live Webinar: Energy Incentives for the Business Community- Including Direct Install, Energy Assessments, Rebates and More on April 29th.
The Hudson County Economic Development Corporation is proud be a part of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)’s 20-organization cohort of the Small Business Resiliency Network. With the generous support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Small Business Resiliency Network would ensure that businesses are prepared for disasters and have adaptation strategies in place to strengthen the resilience of communities through the resilience of small businesses.
The HCEDC will offer a range of services in partnership with various organizations including educational webinars, as well as access to disaster recovery experts and Hudson County Community College interns.
To learn more about the Small Business Resiliency Network, contact Michelle Richardson, Executive Director or Rosennies Feliz, Program Coordinator at (201) 369-4370, ext. 2 or by e-mail at info@hudsonedc.org
For further information regarding the Wells Fargo Foundation/Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) partnership, please visit: LISC Launches Pilot Program with Wells Fargo Grant to Help Small Businesses Build Disaster Resilience
Running a small business has never been more complex. That’s why Hudson County Economic Development Corporation is proud to join Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and Next Street to present the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program supporting women- and minority-owned businesses. This free program is designed to give small businesses like yours more tools to succeed in today’s digital world.
Through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program, business owners can access English, and Spanish language:
You don’t want to miss this!
The first 20 Hudson County businesses to register will be featured in an HCEDC Small Business Saturday or Business Spotlight social media promotion.
Click here for more information about the Small Business Digital Ready program and to register or Scan the QR Code Below
In this webinar, you’ll gain a practical understanding of marketing research techniques and tools. You’ll learn how to develop a marketing strategy by utilizing free resources to access customer demographics, spending habits, and possible trends in your industry. There will be particular emphasis on how to target your best potential customers and minimize wasted exposure, helping you deliver your products and services cost effectively. You’ll also:
Get to know your market in this free workshop.
The event has ended.
View the Presentation Slides: Marketing Research Tools for Small Business Presentation
View the Event Webinar: Marketing Research Tools for Small Business
Have a great idea? Ready to start a business? Learn what you need to know before you take the plunge!
The decision to start a business is an exciting time for any entrepreneur. However, there are many steps you’ll need to take to protect yourself from potential liability, legal, and tax issues.
This webinar is designed to guide you through the mechanics of starting your business and make sure you get off on the right foot. In this workshop, we’ll cover:
Give your business the best chance to succeed by getting started the right way.
This event has ended.
View the Presentation: Starting a Business in New Jersey Presentation
View the Event Webinar: Starting a Business in New Jersey
Starting a small business is a rewarding but risky proposition. Before you hang the “Open for Business” sign or get in too deep into your new venture, you should take an honest look at your preparedness to succeed. This free in-person and live webinar will guide you through the assessment process and introduce you to the tools you’ll need to start and grow your business. You’ll be better prepared to:
Setting up the right foundation for your startup will put it on the path to success.
This event has ended.
View the Presentation Slides: Entrepreneurship Essentials For Your Business Presentation
View the Event Webinar: Entrepreneurship Essentials For Your Business Webinar
Natural disasters can have a dramatic impact on small businesses, but they don’t have to. Having a preparedness plan ready to immediately implement in time of a crisis will help to ensure that you continue to operate and even grow your business.
This live webinar focuses on preparing for disaster, insurances you should have in place and resources in the event of a disaster. Participants will learn how to shift their business from a state of vulnerability to a state of readiness with a sound and actionable plan that will help avoid costly and disruptive incidents.
The event has ended.
View the Presentation slides: Disaster Preparedness For Your Business Presentation
Listen to the recorded Event Webinar: Disaster Preparedness For Your Business Webinar
This introductory workshop addresses the basics of harnessing the power of digital within your organization’s marketing strategy. Digital marketing is an important part of your promotional mix, and social media platforms are valuable tools to use in your marketing communications strategy.
This workshop will cover:
You will gain a fundamental understanding of the core principles of digital marketing, and learn to balance digital techniques with traditional methods for greater effectiveness.
The event has ended.
View the Presentation slides: Digital Marketing & Social Media Presentation
Listen to the recorded Event Webinar: Digital Marketing & Social Media Webinar
Small Business Spotlight
February 2024
Empowering Communities: Leeja Carter, Ph.D,
A Journey from Grassroots to Nonprofit Leadership
In the heart of Hudson County, a dedicated and visionary leader and Fulbright Scholar, Leeja Carter, Ph.D, spearheads a transformative mission to bridge the gap between food insecurity, nutritional equity, and overall well-being. Her nonprofit, the Coalition for Food and Health Equity (CFHE), embodies the power of partnership, bringing food entrepreneurs, for-profit organizations, and government agencies together to create systemic change. Dr. Carter’s work, as she describes it, “carries a touch of magic that’s turning the tide in the fight against food insecurity and building resilient, healthy communities.”
Ujamaa Café TM is a practice of community care and economics through supporting neighborhood revitalization at the intersection of health and food equity.
From Grassroots to Nonprofit in the Face of COVID
Dr. Carter’s journey to the Coalition for Food and Health Equity began in 2012 as a researcher in Chicago and then Brooklyn; her work included a Fulbright fellowship to London. This scholarly path was the foundation that prepared Dr. Carter, along with 13 of her students and Jersey City residents, to co-create a grassroots project known as the Hudson County Hunger Project (HCHP) in response to the challenges posed by restaurant closures and the increasing prevalence of food insecurity at the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020. In leading HCHP, Dr. Carter secured funding to keep restaurant doors open and began delivering meals to those in need. The immediate impact on the struggling restaurant industry and underserved areas was evident. However, long-term, sustainable solutions post-COVID that addressed resilient, healthy communities were unavailable through the current HCHP model for hunger relief. Pulling from her decades-long background in community and applied health research, she developed the Coalition for Food and Health Equity in December 2020. Dr. Carter’s vision was clear: disrupt the systemic and structural inequalities in the food and health system to build resilient, healthy communities as a nonprofit.
Innovative Programs in Action
Ujamaa Café™ are cashless, de-surveilled food access points and locations that cater to the diverse needs of its patrons and the surrounding community.
At the Coalition for Food and Health Equity, transformative concepts come to life through innovative, technology-integrated yet practical, on-the-ground initiatives. HCHP delivers culturally and medically tailored meals to clients’ doorsteps. Ujamaa CaféTM is ‘smart’ community refrigerators deployed in food desert locations across New Jersey and Philadelphia to combat food insecurity and increase access to healthy meal options, all sourced from local businesses. The first Ujamaa CaféTM was launched in the county at the Hudson Pride Center, with a second fridge at the Kismet of Kings in Jersey City. The Eating Better Together program addresses the importance of nutritional health and oral hygiene in children. Darice Toon, Director, Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services shared, “Dr. Carter’s impactful work and the success of these programs are great examples of how Hudson County’s Department of Health and Human Services collaborates with residents and businesses to tackle some of our community’s biggest challenges. We remain committed to supporting the health, well-being, and overall quality of life here by providing an array of inclusive and accessible services, education, and resources with dignity, compassion, and respect. As we look to the future, we see great opportunities to continue this important work with various local, state, federal, and private agencies.”
HCHP is a community meal program supporting local restaurants and food-insecure residents in Hudson County.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
CFHE’s programs provide a synergistic foundation for the community’s quality of life. Ilir Mani, owner of Cafe Peanut and CFHE Restaurant Affiliate, shared, “We’ve been working alongside Dr. Carter since 2020. For small business owners like me, these critical programs were a huge help in our efforts to survive the pandemic,” he continued, “more than just keeping our doors open – It served our community in profound and lasting ways.”
Unique Approach and Inclusivity
“What sets the Coalition for Food and Health Equity apart is our focus on providing long-term access to healthful nutrition through a model of care and dignity,” shared Dr. Carter. Coalition for Food and Health Equity partnered with the Hudson Pride Center, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can access food in affirming, safe, and culturally inclusive spaces. “For 30 years, Hudson Pride Center has battled food insecurity in the LGBTQ+ community. Our partnership with the Coalition for Food and Health Equity brings crucial awareness and resources. Clients express genuine gratitude for the chance to enjoy a nourishing meal in a safe environment. We’re committed to creating healthier living experiences in Hudson County, driven by visionary leaders uniting for resilient communities,” stated Elizabeth Schedl, Executive Director, Hudson Pride Center.
Building Healthier Communities – The Future of Hudson County
Dr. Leeja Carter and the Coalition for Food and Health Equity represent transformational progress in Hudson County and embody the can-do, collaborative approach that drives New Jersey’s fastest-growing county forward. These innovative strategies, unwavering commitment to health equity, and dedicated partnerships address the critical issue of food insecurity today and build a resilient, healthier, and more equitable future for residents and businesses in Hudson County. “At Hudson County Economic Development Corporation, we know it is important to leave no one behind in the goal to achieve a thriving Hudson County economy. We, therefore, set out, with intentionality, to engage our nonprofit entrepreneurs, providing guidance, support, and encouragement to address the impediments that prevent our residents from full participation in the Hudson County economy,” said Michelle Richardson, Executive Director of the Hudson County Economic Development Corporation.
For more information about how the HCEDC can help grow your business,
Explore our website!
Explore:
Coalition for Food and Health Equity
Cafe Peanut
Hudson Pride Center
Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services
Download the February 2024 Business Spotlight at Coalition for Food and Health Equity