1. I am afraid to break some news to you, but you are a bit late in doing this as Hershel has been working on this for awhile now.

   It seems to me, that since Hershel has been getting all the attention the last couple of weeks, (and got things accomplished, unlike you) you are trying to get some attention.

   Please focus on what you guys started as, and don’t try to dance at 2 weddings at the same time.

   Good Luck

2. Can we get a different pic already. I’m sick of this one.

3. The LDC stands ready to assist any business in Lakewood with its existing programs and any other proposed programs that might be helpful and that are within the UEZ mandate.

   While the community is always welcome to attend any meeting, you may consider using your time more efficiently by calling Yehuda Abraham, the UEZ Co-coordinator and LDC Director of Business Development ([email protected] – 732 364 2500 x5217) or David Klein the LCSC Director of Small Business Services ([email protected] – (908) 278-2869).

   They can meet with your business and offer you customized customer assistance.

   The LDC is always interested in hearing new ideas for innovative or helpful programs. Please note that all LDC/UEZ projects must also be approved by both the Lakewood Township Committee and the State UEZ Authority in Trenton.

   There are currently five ‘frum’ members of the LDC and you can also approach them directly with ideas.

   For your information, we will be introducing some new programs which will be publicized once they are approved. These include a ‘joint advertising’ program, which will pay up to half of a UEZ business’s advertising costs.

   We are also discussing revamping our Micro-loan program which allows up to $25,000 of low-interest financing to UEZ businesses. (Over 25 small businesses have already been granted these loans.)

   Whether you come to the meeting, or would rather meet individually concerning your business’s needs, please feel that you are welcome at the LDC.

   Moshe Zev Weisberg
   Chairman, LDC

4. yishukani: what r u? the “hershel 4 moyor” guy? ubber l’maaseh gotta give him his props

5. is this how the LAC plans on lowering our taxes? huh?!

6. to #5
   This money is sales tax that is collected in the uez zone that goes to the township and not to the state.

7. to me; who the heck do you think pays the sales tax? ME!

8. is 25,000 the maximum lent or given to businesses ? I have read reports of grants or loans in excess of a million dollars being given to developers . please clarify

   Thank yiu

9. But you don’t pay more just because it’s being used, once collected, to assist businesses – you pay more because you spend more. In fact, the UEZ saves you money because you pay only 3.5% rather than 7%.

10. Can a new start up get the 25k loan or does one need to go through a bank?

11. The whole point of creation of the UEZA back in 1986 was and is to help start up and young businesses flourish. A start up business can apply and possibly attain a Micro-Loan from the LDC through the UEZ program pending a through review by the Lakewood Twp Finance Committee and then approval by the Lkwd Twp Committee. The most important factors for a start up would be of course personal credit and a viable business plan. The Finance Committee however, most likely will be more lenient than a traditional lender b/c their mission is to help economic development in Lakewood. So someone that can demonstrate ability of repayment, may be able to get the Micro-Loan even with marginal credit history.

12. HOPE ITS NOT TOO LATE FOR ME AS I HAVE SENT THE WORKERS PACKING.

13. A look at the LDC meetings shows grants given out like water from OUR tax money no questions asked and it gets automaticaly approved by the next townahip public meeting we need transparency and accountability.

14. good now its UEZ turn B”H

15. Some answers:

    The Micro-loan is completely funded by the UEZ through UEZ funds. You must first become a ‘UEZ Certified Business’ (we can handhold you through this – its not more than filling out a few forms). As long as you have a decent business plan (the LCSC can help you prepare one – no charge) and a decent, if not great, credit score you should be OK. Current max is $25,000 @ 3.5% with a five year payback. We are currently looking to ease the initial payments due to the economic situation.

    A larger loan (called a Joint Participation Loan) can be up to $500,000 and needs the cooperation and approval of a participating bank (we can help with that). The bank loans 50% at their going rate and the UEZ lends the other 50% at HALF the bank rate. You must be creditworthy enough to be approved by the bank.

    Larger loans are dealt with on an individual basis as a ‘special projects’ and must show a great benefit to Lakewood (such as job creation).

    Unfortunately, because of the approvals and red-tape needed, it can take three months from the date of application to actually see the loan check.

    For the record, the LDC does fund Township projects such as Police and ambulances primarily stationed in the UEZ areas. We also pay for road paving and other municipal services in the zone saving the Lakewood taxpayer millions a year. The UEZ is totally funded by Lakewood UEZ sales taxes which are returned by Trenton for use in Lakewood. Without the UEZ, we would not have the $3.5 tax rate at all (its 7% everywhere else) and ALL our sales taxes would be swallowed up in the $30 Billion + Trenton black hole.

    Again, we are happy to assist. Contact numbers are in a prior email in this thread.

    Moshe Zev Weisberg
    Chairman, LDC

16. We understand about funding PUBLIC projects such as police cars and ambulances Thank you

    What we would like clarification on are the published reports of multi million dollar grants to private developers . Please clarify how we can get those also . Thank you

17. i dont think hershel should be on town commitee.he is getting more done this way.nice of the lac to step in and try to look like they know what the score is. so sorry you guys are missing the boat.why cant you guys just be happy that somebody is getting your job done for you.

18. Does anyone know where we can get full disclosure as to where the UEZ money goes? Last week they granted 425,000 to job links busing. Also if they are buying police cars and ambulances then what are our Township Taxes paying for?

19. Re: Private developers

    We do pay for PUBLIC parking lots in the downtown area and ‘developers’ may benefit from that along with shoppers and other stores. We have bought and paid for about five lots. As you may or not know, the downtown zoning allows for building without regard to providing parking (sick!). As a result both businesses and customers run into major parking issues. That is the plain and clear truth. Until that is changed – by the Township Committee – not us, we need to live with that reality and do the best we can to making shopping in the downtown easier. Developers know this and some may ride the system. What are the options? Let the stores and shoppers suffer even more?

    I’m not sure what you mean by multi-million dollar grants to developers. What exactly are you talking about? Are you sure you mean the LDC? Many issues, such as tax incentives, are beyond the reach of the LDC and you need to address that to others. I am simply not aware of what you are talking about. Please explain.

    MZW

20. Final Comment:

    While I have tried to answer most of the issues in this thread, please be advised that some commentators simply have no clue what they are talking about.

    Any question will be answered if asked with a minimum standard of menshlichkiet. Our meetings are public and the staff is accessible 5 days a week at the municipal building. Our board members and staff serve the business public day in and day out with integrity. Impeaching their character on a public blog without knowing what your talking about is an hurtful and wrong.

    Contact information for those seeking UEZ information (again): Yehuda Abraham, UEZ Co-coordinator and LDC Director of Business Development ([email protected] – 732 364 2500 x5217) and David Klein the LCSC Director of Small Business Services ([email protected] – (908) 278-2869).

21. Just curious… who would you rather get that big contract? Perhaps the big contractor in Jackson or Brick? Perhaps IMC Construction out of Malvern, PA?? Someone has to get that contract because the Township hasn’t gotten into the construction business yet. Don’t you think one of our own Lakewood residents should get the job to A. employ local workers, B. improve your home town, and C. odds are very good that that local builder/contractor will reinvest that money back into the Lakewood economy through his next projects and his own personal spending on Lakewood’s many goods and services????
    Or no, you’d just rather slam a fellow Lakewooder because if feels good and you are too bored to you use your time for something more constructive. Think before your spew!

22. I find it so sad that Rabbi Weisberg feels the need to answer to cowardly, anonymous bloggers. How is he supposed to give an honest accounting to a faceless attacker. If you truly want to use this as a legitimate forum to bring up these issues, at least write a name that shows which group you are affiliated with. Otherwise I guess we will just have to see what constructive criticism you can come up with at the UEZ meeting on tuesday.

23. This past week the township approved eliminating the 3 percent cap on your tax bill in preparation of raising your taxes a substantial amount next year. The reason this will be necessary is that the local govt will have a deficit in their needed surplus of millions of dollars. The main reason for this deficit is from the cost of all the tax appeals that were done this past year. Who was behind getting everyone to appeal their tax bill? Correct. But now all of our taxes will go up, including the appealers. So those that appealed will have gained nothing. Those that did not appeal will get raised even more now .The only ones that gained are the lawyers and appraisers. The LAC realizes they have been ineffectual at lowering taxes. Actually making the situation worse. Now they need a new cause. They see herschel stealing their thunder.Now they want to bring their magic touch to his cause?what will be their next cause?dealing with crime? I hope they do their homework this time.

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