52:27H-21.14a. Toll-free telephone information line providing assistance to small businesses

1. a. The Division of Development for Small Businesses and Women's and Minority Businesses in the Department of Commerce and Economic Development , in consultation with the New Jersey small business development centers, shall establish a toll-free telephone information line which shall be readily accessible to the public and shall provide information regarding entrepreneurial or business assistance programs available to small businesses, including sources of financing for training, micro-loans and venture capital, from the following entities:

(1) The Department of Commerce and Economic Development;

(2) The New Jersey Economic Development Authority;

(3) The Department of Labor;

(4) The New Jersey small business development centers; and

(5) Private organizations, individuals or corporations that provide technical assistance and services to small businesses in this State.

b. The telephone information line shall provide information regarding the nature of the assistance and benefits available from the programs provided by the entities set forth in subsection a. of this section, and shall provide information on how to access and apply for these programs.

c. To pay for the assistance provided to small businesses pursuant to this act the division shall make use of any available State or federal funding and shall solicit contributions from any private business organizations, individuals or corporations that provide technical assistance or services to small businesses.

d. The division may assess a fee, to be determined by the division, upon any private business organization, individual or corporation that wishes to have information regarding its small business assistance programs available through the telephone information line. The fee shall not exceed the cost of providing the information regarding the business organization, individual or corporation to the public through the telephone information line. The fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be used to pay for the services provided pursuant to this act.

L.1996,c.37,s.1.