Chris Christie: NJ Business Recovery Is Top Priority [VIDEO/AUDIO]

Governor Christie is urging Jersey businesses hard-hit by Superstorm to find out what kind of assistance is available to help them recover.

During a speech before the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Christie said getting small businesses back up and running is his top priority.

"The Jersey Labor Department is launching a trio of grant programs totaling 26 million dollars, designed to help keep jobs here and employ people in the recovery effort…In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor has approved 15.6 million dollars in National Emergency grants to fund our plan to hire unemployed New Jersey residents to assist with hurricane Sandy cleanup and recovery efforts."

He also told those in attendance, "over 54 million dollars in Small Business Administration loans are already out the door, and if you need access to those kinds of low-interest loans visit the SBA website at disasterloan.SBA.gov."

Christie told the audience the pace of clean-up in the hardest hit towns is happening quickly.

"One of the ways people psychologically recover is to see the evidence of the storm leave their communities, so that's why we've made clean-up one of our first priorities - if we're going to ask people to recover and have hope for tomorrow, we need to take away the painful reminders of what happened to us from their everyday sight."

"We've mobilized the Business Action Center to be a one-stop shop for all business related disaster assistance we can offer - and so if you're confused about what's available to you, pick up the phone and call the Business Action Center - there will be people who will lead you through this process, and we'll hook you up with the folks at the Federal government you need to get the assistance you need…by calling the Business Action Center (866-534-7789) you can get information about all sorts of things including financial support, information on temporary space, technical assistance for businesses impacted in a technological way… guarantees of up to 500 thousand dollars for commercial lines of credit are available to businesses that need access to cash to improve damaged property while awaiting insurance proceeds, and also grant awards for businesses to assist with on-the-job training costs for new workers hired specifically to assist in disaster-related activities such as landscaping, tree removal, construction…we're going to fight as much as we can with you, including advocating at the federal government for more funds for business."

Courtesy Governor's Office