DCA Awards Over $148,000 in SHARED Services Grants 

 Grants to Benefit Municipalities Across New Jersey


TRENTON, N.J.  – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Commissioner Susan Bass Levin today announced the award of over $148,000 in Sharing Available Resources Efficiently (SHARE) grants. The grants will benefit one county and eleven municipalities across New Jersey to help fund feasibility studies and implement shared service measures.

“Sharing services is a key component of my administration’s property tax reform plan,” said Governor Corzine.  “Towns that study or implement shared services are showing a commitment to driving down costs and increasing government efficiency.”

“Governor Corzine continues to encourage municipalities to share and consolidate services in order to reduce the burden on property tax payers,” said Commissioner Levin.  “These grants encourage local governments to get the most out of their tax dollars and provide more efficient government.”

Cape May County will receive a $19,636 feasibility study grant.  The grant will allow Cape May County to fund a study that will look at the electronic interconnection capabilities of the County, Upper Township and Wildwood City.  In June of 2006, Cape May was the first county in New Jersey to receive a County Organization (COUNT) grant and since have continued to identify and develop other ways in which to share services.

Ocean City will receive a $41,000 feasibility study grant.  The grant will allow Ocean City to engage a consultant to perform a feasibility study for regionalizing solid waste and recycling collections with Sea Isle City, Avalon Borough, Dennis and Upper Townships.

Kinnelon Borough will receive a $2,450 implementation grant.  The grant will fund legal fees as well as computers and software required to implement a shared services program with Boonton Township for sharing a Chief Financial Officer.

Washington Township ( Mercer County) will receive an $85,313 implementation grant.  The grant will fund start up costs for Washington to provide EMS services in Hightstown Borough.

DCA’s SHARE program provides assistance for the study or implementation of any regional or shared service agreement, or for the coordination of programs and services authorized under the Uniformed Shared Services and Consolidation Act.  These grants are administered by the DCA and are available to local governments and nonprofit organizations.

DCA has awarded a total of $7,621,734 through 105 SHARE Grants since the program’s inception.

For more information on the SHARE program, call 609-984-7764, or log on to www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/.