New Jersey will be indefinitely waiving the $100 filing fee to become certified as a Small, Minority, Woman, or Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (SMWVBE).

Beginning June 1, the NJ Dept. of the Treasury will waive the $100 fee to become registered as an SMWVBE. Registration is already free to become certified as a Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise. Additionally, New Jersey business owners are already permitted to register their business for as many certification categories as they are eligible. Businesses can apply for certification in any of these categories through Treasury’s online portal.

Certification as a Small, Minority, Woman, Veteran or Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise provides state-backed documentation of a business’ status and allows businesses to compete in select set-aside or goal-based contracting initiatives offered by state agencies, including the Small Business Enterprise Set-Aside Program, which sets a goal of awarding 25 percent of state contracting and purchase orders to small businesses, and the Disabled Veteran-Owned Set Aside Program, which awards three percent of state contracting and purchase orders to businesses that are owned and operated by service-disabled veterans.

Treasury is encouraging businesses and individuals to consult with the business services program offered by the department’s Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which includes guidance on how to file and register a new business, annual filing requirements, online certification to become a Small, Minority, Woman, Veteran, or Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise, Uniform Commercial Code filings, and helpful information and answers if a business is worried about being the target of fraudulent activities or scams.

For more info visit https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/news/2021/05052021.shtml