Optimum Business and the Edison Chamber of Commerce Announce the Founding of the Lifting up Small Businesses in Edison, New Jersey

20 businesses will be awarded a $5,000 grant to support

"Lifting up Small Businesses in Edison, New Jersey"

NEW JERSEY (OCTOBER 29, 2024) - Optimum Business, the provider of advanced internet, mobile, TV, and phone services, and the Edison Chamber of Commerce, a network of businesses in the greater Edison Township area of New Jersey, today announce the founding of the Lifting up Small Businesses in Edison, New Jersey, which will directly fund 20 small businesses in Edison. The program will distribute $5,000 grants to each selected business recipient to help support their growth and long-term success while further expanding and contributing to the prosperity of the Edison community.

Additionally, grant recipients who are new to the Edison Chamber of Commerce will receive a one-year complimentary membership for 2025 to further promote their development and help them build their networks.

"Small businesses are fundamental to the enduring prosperity and vibrancy of local areas, and that is no exception in Edison. We recognize that Edison's dynamic and diverse business community has contributed to the growth and success of the region, which in turn has allowed local residents to thrive," said Vic Pascarelli, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum Northeast. "As a company serving Edison small business owners both at their home and place of business, Optimum Business is honored to partner with the Edison Chamber of Commerce to create this grant program, which enables us to show up for our communities and reinforces our commitment to providing small businesses with the connectivity solutions, resources, and support to thrive in today's digital world."

"We are incredibly excited to launch this grant program in partnership with Optimum Business designed specifically to empower small businesses in our community," said Joe Coyle, President of Edison Chamber of Commerce. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to providing them with the resources and support they need to flourish. By enabling their growth, we are not only investing in their future but also in the prosperity and vibrancy of Edison as a whole."

The Lifting up Small Businesses in Edison is made possible by its Founding Partner Optimum Business and the Edison Chamber of Commerce. For more on the Lifting up Small Businesses in Edison, including submission requirements, official program rules, and how to submit, visit edisonchamber.com/small-business-grant.

Optimum Business and the Edison Chamber of Commerce expect to announce the grant recipients in early 2025. Once the winners are announced, Optimum Business will also host recognition events with local officials and key community partners joining in on the celebrations.

Optimum continues to find new ways to deepen its community presence and connect its customers to what matters most, which includes supporting, understanding, and celebrating what makes each of its local communities unique. The Lifting up Small Businesses in Edison is a concrete example of this very commitment to customers and businesses in Edison and comes on the heels of Optimum committing nearly $10,000 to the Teachers of the Year and Educational Service Professionals of the Year at the Edison Chamber of Commerce's 25^th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception. During the Edison Chamber of Commerce's awards presentation, which honored individuals, nonprofits, teachers, and businesses across Edison, New Jersey - including Optimum for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award - Optimum presented gift cards to the Teachers of the Year and Educational Service Professionals of the Year, further supporting customers and communities across its footprint.