Approximately 60-shovel ready projects to receive funding - $4.3 million will modernize Atlantic City’s aging water supply system

ATLANTIC CITY - Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved more than $200 million in recovery act funds for approximately 60 shovel-ready clean water and drinking projects. Additional funding announcements are expected in the future. The Governor also announced the start of a $4.3 million project to update the water delivery system in Atlantic City.

"Throughout our state, we are starting to head in the right direction on the economy as applications for building permits rise, residential housing starts are up, and the private sector continues to add jobs here in New Jersey," said Governor Corzine. "A big part of ramping up this recovery and keeping us moving in the right direction is our continued investment in updating our critical infrastructure, and bringing more jobs to New Jersey's working families and enhancing the quality of life for all New Jersey residents."

In May, Governor Corzine first announced that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection had received more than 400 project applications for funding under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The money earmarked for Atlantic City is a part of more than a $200 million federal stimulus funding package that will be distributed to municipalities and authorities to finance drinking water and wastewater treatment projects around the state.

The $4.3 million Atlantic City project entails replacing transmission water lines and securing the structures that support the City's water mains. Seventy-five percent of the funding is coming from grant and loans awarded through ARRA.

The remaining 25 percent of project funding will be funded through a loan financing program that is administered by the DEP and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, a state authority that finances water quality improvement projects. Atlantic City is expected to begin the projects in October.

Updating Atlantic City's water supply system is vital to the health and well-being of its citizens, business and tourist communities.

"Atlantic City has one of the oldest water supply systems in the state," said Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello.  "These upgrades will ensure that Atlantic City residents and businesses continue to receive drinking water without disruption. This is a winning combination anyway you look at it."

"As we prepare to put shovels in the ground and get people back to work, we advance a project that represents a win for everyone," the Governor added. "This is the type of investment that will help us work our way through the recession and provide significant opportunities for many years to come."

A list of approved projects can be found at www.state.nj.us/dep/arra/  

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