This bill establishes a grant program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial assistance to retail business establishments that incur increased business expenses due to public highway projects. The program is designed to reimburse businesses located within impacted construction zones for expenses incurred during a defined relief period, which spans from the commencement to the conclusion of a public highway project. The bill outlines the definitions of key terms such as "public highway project," "impacted construction zone," and "relief period," and specifies the eligibility criteria for applicants, which include being a small business with no more than 50 full-time employees and having a principal place of business in New Jersey.

To apply for the grant, businesses must submit documentation demonstrating their regular business expenses prior to the relief period and the increased expenses incurred during it. The EDA will review applications on a rolling basis, contingent on available funds, and grants will be awarded based on the difference between the increased expenses and the regular expenses for an equal number of business days. The bill also mandates that the Commissioner of Transportation provide the EDA with timely notifications regarding the status of public highway projects to facilitate the application review process. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to support the administration of the grant program.