(The Center Square) – Governor Phil Murphy and state lawmakers have agreed to send in additional funding of $ 235 million to help struggling small businesses in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic .

The state is also allocating $ 40 million federal from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for an “excluded residents fund” targeting those previously not eligible for federal stimulus programs, including “undocumented immigrants”, according to information.

“COVID-19 has created unimaginable challenges for our economy over the past year,” Murphy said in a press release. “As we emerge from this pandemic, we need to make targeted investments in our small businesses and our workforce to lay the groundwork for a stronger, fairer future that works for all.”

The $ 235 million in small business funding will cover pending Phase IV small business grant applications submitted to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).

For financing small businesses, the state plans to allocate $ 120 million to microenterprises, $ 20 million to bars and restaurants, $ 10 million to daycares, $ 25 million to new businesses and startups, $ 10 million in the Sustain and Serve NJ program and $ 50 million. to other small businesses and nonprofits.

“The restaurant, hotel and tourism industries have been crippled by the end of the pandemic last spring and by the persistent capacity restrictions which have just been lifted enough for them to resume operations some time ago. not normal as summer approaches, ”says Senator Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, said in a press release. “These new grants will be of great help.”

Meanwhile, the “Excluded Residents Fund” will offer one-time direct cash payments of up to $ 2,000 to households earning less than $ 55,000 if they can prove they have suffered economic hardship as a result. of the pandemic.

According to WPIX-TV, the North Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice said the $ 40 million allocation “is insufficient to meet the crisis needs of communities that have been excluded from pandemic relief to date.”

Republicans have also expressed disapproval of the proposal.

“After spending the last year sitting on federal relief funds that could have helped people, it’s a slap in the face to New Jersey people that Governor Murphy takes a victory lap to finally fund programs business assistance, as we proposed in a relief bill months ago. he refused to support, ”said Sen. Michael Testa, R-Vineland. “It is simply outrageous that he ties this vital business aid to payments of up to $ 2,000 to illegal aliens.”

The proposal is the latest from state and federal funds to help New Jersey businesses and nonprofits. Murphy already signed five invoices Allocate $ 100 million in federal COVID relief funds for small businesses, arts organizations and daycares.