FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 1, 2017

 


Grant Totaling $985,000 Helps Nonprofit Revitalize Greater Spruce Street Neighborhood in Paterson

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Charles A. Richman today announced a $985,000 grant award through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program to New Jersey Community Development Corporation in Paterson. The NRTC program is administered by the Division of Housing and Community Resources and allocates corporate funding for implementing neighborhood revitalization plans to community-based nonprofit groups.   

Corporations that fund the program receive a 100 percent tax credit against various state taxes for their investments in revitalizing low-and moderate-income neighborhoods in eligible cities. Funds were contributed by Atlantic Stewardship Bank, Horizon Healthcare, Lakeland Bank, M&T Bank, RCC Builders/Developers, Sterling National Bank, Thomson Reuters and Valley National Bank. 

New Jersey Community Development Corporation will use $985,000 in NRTC funding to acquire and renovate the former American Legion Hall into what will become the Great Falls Education & Training Center, which will provide educational, job training and microenterprise development services for young neighborhood residents.  The grant will also support art instruction and education for neighborhood children and provide resources to recruit youth to participate in neighborhood cleanup and beatification events. Residents will also benefit from a Neighborhood Help Center which will provide classes, workshops, seminars and job readiness activities. 

Other communities that have benefited from the NRTC program this year include, Salem, Orange, Jersey City, Camden, Trenton, Elizabeth and New Brunswick. 

New Jersey Community Development Corporation is a private, nonprofit community development and social service agency founded in 1994 with a mission of creating opportunities to transform lives. The focus of their work is the City of Paterson. An approved NRTC plan for the Greater Spruce Street neighborhood has been in place since 2009. More information on New Jersey Community Development Corporation can be found at www.njcdc.org. 

NRTC funds must be used by their recipients in accordance with the following requirements:  at least 60 percent for housing and/or economic development activities (including construction and rehabilitation of housing units, creation of commercial facilities, assistance to small businesses, employment training and child care provision); and the remainder (not exceeding 40 percent) for supportive services and other activities that are complementary to neighborhood revitalization (including infrastructure and open space improvements, providing social and community services, recreation activities, crime prevention activities and community outreach activities). 

The Division of Housing and Community Resources strengthens and revitalizes communities through the delivery of affordable housing, supportive services and the provision of financial and technical assistance to communities, local government and community based organizations. For more information on the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, visit, www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/nrtc.html.

CONTACT:
Tammori Petty
Emike Omogbai
(609) 292-6055