Lakewood: one ZIP code, 4,031 businesses and 184 SBA loans
Toms River borrowers took 120 of those loans, second in the county only to Lakewood [1]. Lakewood's single ZIP code, 08701, held 4,031 business establishments in 2023 [2]. Lakewood borrowers took 184 SBA loans worth $86.8 million from FY2024 to June 2026, second only to Jersey City among New Jersey towns, at a median of $250,000 [1]. The pace held up: 64 loans in FY2024, 82 in FY2025 and 38 in the first nine months of FY2026 [1].
Clothing and accessories retailers were the most common Lakewood SBA borrowers (19 loans), followed by child care centers (7), management consultants (7) and nondurable goods wholesalers (6) [1]. TD Bank made 55 Lakewood loans, ReadyCap Lending 19 and JPMorgan Chase 14 [1].
Lakewood is Ocean County's only Urban Enterprise Zone town, run locally by the Lakewood Development Corp. [5]. A certified business there may charge 3.3125% sales tax on qualifying in-person sales at its zone location [6]. Lakewood also holds 6 of Ocean's 11 Opportunity Zone tracts from 2018; Manchester has 3 and Berkeley 2 [7]. On grants: we found no Lakewood or Ocean County small business grant open on Oct 20, 2026.
Toms River: smaller loans, steady volume
ZIP codes with a Toms River address held 3,037 establishments in 2023 [2]. Toms River borrowers took 120 SBA loans worth $43.2 million, the third most of any New Jersey town, with a median of $115,400 [1]. Gyms and fitness centers (6), janitorial firms (5) and plumbing and HVAC shops (3) were the most common types [1]. TD Bank made 36 of those loans and M&T Bank 18 [1].
Nearby Jackson (57 loans), Brick (37), Manahawkin (22) and Barnegat (21) round out the county's busiest SBA towns [1].
More SBA loans to construction firms than any other NJ county
Ocean had 1,970 construction establishments in 2023, 13% of all its business locations [2]. Construction firms here took 117 SBA loans worth $32.5 million, the most construction loans of any New Jersey county, at a median of $100,000 [1]. Residential remodelers (23), specialty trades (17), plumbing and HVAC (14) and electricians (10) led [1].
Worked example: $100,000 for a Toms River contractor over 5 years
SBA caps variable 7(a) loans of $50,001 to $250,000 at the base rate plus 6.0% [3]. With prime at 7.00% on the Fed's Oct 20, 2026 release [4], that cap is 13.0%.
At the cap, $100,000 over 5 years costs $2,275.31 a month and $36,518.44 in interest. Stretch it to 10 years and the payment drops, but total interest rises. Your quoted rate may be lower than the cap. Guaranty fees are separate.
Retail (99 loans, $46.4 million) and wholesale trade (54 loans, $26.0 million) were Ocean's next biggest SBA sectors [1].
Who lends in Ocean County
| Lender | Loans | Median loan |
|---|---|---|
| TD Bank | 198 | $59,000 |
| M&T Bank | 60 | $60,000 |
| ReadyCap Lending | 39 | $450,000 |
| Northeast Bank | 26 | $249,300 |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank | 23 | $150,000 |
Of the 21 SBA 504 loans for property and big equipment, Trenton Business Assistance Corporation handled 15 and Empire State Certified Development Corporation 6 [1].
Card processing for Ocean County businesses
Ocean County mixes 2,057 retailers and 1,150 restaurants with 1,970 construction firms, more contractors than all but Bergen and Monmouth, in 2023 [2]. When a homeowner pays a repair or service bill by card, the ticket is large.
On a $240 service call, Square's in-person 2.6% + 15¢ [12] is $6.39. If the homeowner uses a debit card from a large bank, Regulation II caps the bank's interchange at 21¢ plus 0.05% of the sale [11], 33¢ here. On a $5,000 roof deposit, every tenth of a percent is $5, so contractors should price the percent first.
A contractor who adds a card surcharge must keep it at or below the actual processing cost under New Jersey's P.L.2023, c.146 [10]. See our credit card processing fees guide, and run a statement through the fee analyzer before you set the number.
Free help and other options for Ocean owners
- NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College serves Ocean as well as Monmouth, from 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft [8].
- Ocean County's Department of Business Development and Tourism takes requests from local businesses for ribbon cuttings, sponsorships and letters of support for grant applications [9].
For speed, a term loan or line of credit can close faster than an SBA loan, at a higher cost. Contractors buying trucks should price equipment financing. A merchant cash advance is a purchase of future receivables, not a loan, and usually the most expensive choice. Batch Capital can compare them for you after the quiz.