DCA Awards $1.75 Million in Federal Funding for Shovel-Ready Public Improvement Projects
Five Projects to Create More Than 120 Jobs

TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Charles A. Richman today announced five shovel-ready projects in South Jersey will receive a total of $1,750,837 in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funding will create 124 jobs and lead to public improvements in the City of Burlington, Cape May City, Commercial Township, Egg Harbor City, and Lower Township. 

"All of these projects are poised to put people to work immediately and will lead to lasting improvements for the residents of these communities," said Acting Commissioner Richman. "Governor Corzine has directed all state departments and agencies to efficiently and effectively allocate federal recovery funding to help contribute to the state's economy. The DCA has and will continue to rise to the challenge."

The five municipalities will receive the funding through the Small Cities Community Development Block (CDBG) Grant Program. The grants must be used for community development activities that principally benefit persons of low and moderate income; prevent or eliminate slums and blight; and/or meet urgent community development needs for which no other resources are available. The funds can be used for public facilities, community revitalization, housing rehabilitation and development projects that leverage private investments. 

The five CDBG projects funded under ARRA include:

City of Burlington
Mechanic Street Revitalization Project
Award: $400,000
Jobs Created: 28


This project will address blighted areas and create needed parking on Mechanic Street within the New Yorkshire neighborhood of the City of Burlington. Nine properties will be acquired, demolished and replaced with new public infrastructure, including sidewalks, ADA-compliant curbing, lighting and an off-street parking area. New Yorkshire residents will be able to utilize the parking facilities while using the NJ Light Rail Train Station.

Cape May City 
Beach Walkway & Ocean Overview Accessibility Improvement Project
Award: $ 271,912
Jobs Created: 20
 

The project will improve beachfront access for the disabled by extending modular wooden walkways, installing ocean overviews, providing five beach wheelchairs, constructing ADA-compliant ramps and installing an ADA-compliant outside shower and drinking fountain. The funds will also improve access for the disabled to the Promenade.

Commercial Township
Battle Lane Project
Award: $316,537
Jobs Created: 16
 

This project will install new sidewalks, curbing, drainage, lighting and ADA requirements on a portion of Battle Lane in Commercial Township.

Egg Harbor City 
Affordable Housing Reconstruction
Project                                                                              
Award: $500,000
Jobs Created: 45


Project funds will be used to help construct sixteen affordable housing units for senior citizens and street level retail space. The units will comply with New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) regulations and have a 100 percent low income benefit. Program funds will be used toward construction costs estimated at $3,000,000.

Lower Township
Villas Storm Water Beach Outfall Project
Award: $262,288
Jobs Created: 15


This project will eliminate the storm water threats affecting the Villas neighborhood by extending storm water outfall pipes to a point on the beach where water can discharge without obstruction. Check valves will be installed at the end of each outfall to prevent the Delaware Bay from reversing flow during storms or at the highest tides.

For more information on the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, please log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/cdbg.html.


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