SECRETARY of Finance David DLG Atalig said there is government funding for new business ventures.

“It is exciting times for the Commonwealth when we can assist our business community and entrepreneurs who want to open their own business,” he said. “We have many programs that can assist in funding and planning,” he added.

 He noted that business loans and grants are available through the federally funded BOOST Program, the Department of Commerce and the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority. 

“You can also be assisted by the Small Business Development Center with business plan writing and strategic marketing plans,” Atalig said.

“I would like to strongly encourage those that want to go into business, please seek out assistance from SBDC and get your business ideas turned into reality,” he added.

For more information, go to www.marianas.edu/cnmisbdc or www.boostcnmi.com/.

He said in 2021, 1,232 business license applications were approved while 65 businesses closed down.

“In 2022, we had 619 business license applications that were approved while 38 businesses closed down. We still have over four months left in the [calendar] year and businesses are still renewing their licenses or opening up new ventures.”

Atalig added, “We are seeing new apartments and commercial rental businesses renewing or coming on line.”

He said there are also “several new retail business licenses coming in and I believe these are businesses preparing for the uptick in our tourism market.”