Optimum Business and the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce have announced the recipients of the “Lifting up Small Businesses in Woodbridge” program, awarding $5,000 grants to 25 local small businesses and nonprofit organizations across the municipality.
The $125,000 total funding initiative is designed to support operational expansion, equipment investments, and community-focused programs, driving economic growth throughout Woodbridge Township.
The 25 selected recipients represent a diverse cross-section of the Woodbridge commercial and nonprofit landscape. Featured grant winners include:
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Per Lui Barbershop: A vintage-inspired, upscale men’s grooming shop utilizing the $5,000 grant to purchase new equipment, enhance client services, and hire additional local barbers.
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BPO Elks Woodbridge: A charitable fraternal organization using the funding to support community programs, including a school backpack distribution drive and resources for the local Domestic Violence Response Team.
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Technology Visionaries: An IT and cybersecurity service provider allocating grant funds to expand free public workshops on cybersecurity defense and practical artificial intelligence tools for regional business owners.
“Small businesses are the heart of Woodbridge’s local economy, and we’re proud to award these 25 recipients with funding that can help them grow, innovate, and continue serving their communities,” Elton Hart, vice president and general manager of Optimum Tri-State said. “This program reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in the communities we serve and providing local businesses with the connectivity, tools, and resources they need to succeed.”
The Woodbridge grant program follows a similar community initiative launched by Optimum Business in nearby Edison, in collaboration with the Edison Chamber of Commerce.
Municipal leadership praised the collaborative effort between the telecommunications provider and the local business chamber.
“Programs like this show what is possible when organizations work together in support of a shared goal,” Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said. “By investing in these 25 businesses, Optimum Business and the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce are helping strengthen the local economy, support jobs, and ensure our neighborhoods continue to thrive.”
Holly B. Church-Doyle, executive director of the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, added that the grants provide meaningful support that enables local entrepreneurs to strengthen operations and reinvest in the regional economy.
Optimum Business and the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the grant recipients at a formal recognition ceremony featuring local business leaders and elected officials.
The Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as an advocate and promotional resource for commercial enterprises, professional services, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Woodbridge Metropolitan Area in Central Jersey.
