NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2000
CONTACT: Jeanne Oswald
(609) 292-4310

Commission on Higher Education Awards Grants for Urban Revitalization

New grants awarded today by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education will enable colleges and universities in Paterson, Trenton, and Jersey City to launch broad-based community economic revitalization projects.

The Commission awarded three Urban Revitalization Implementation Grants totaling $553,000 to Passaic County Community College, New Jersey City University, and Thomas Edison State College. Each institution will lead a collaboartive that includes local government, business, and community organizations. Two of the projects involve multiple higher education institutions. Matching funds are required.

"These exciting projects demonstrate higher education's enormous potential to stimulate urban rebirth and community revitalization," said Commission Chairman Alfred Cade. "The funded projects are consistemt with the strengths of the lead institutions and with ongoing revitalization efforts in the community."

The Urban Revitalization Grant Program was created in response to a recommendation in New Jersey's Plan for Higher Education. Planning grants were awarded to 12 urban colleges and universities in 1998, enabling them to forge local partnerships and develop plans to address urban problems in their locales. The winning implementation grants were selected from seven proposals.

A list of Urban Revitalization Grant awards is provided.

URBAN REVITALIZATION GRANT AWARDS
(lead institution denoted in bold type)

Passaic County Community College$184,425
Project Director: Thomas Lancaster(973) 684-6565
Paterson Community Technology Center will provide technology training and access to community residents and local businesses to bridge the "didital divide."

Partners include city government, Paterson Urban Enterprise Zone, PSE&G, and Hispanic Multipurpose Center, Eva's Village, Greater Paterson OIC, Paterson Small Business Development Center.


New Jersey City University
Hudson County Community College
Saint Peter's College
Stevens Institute of Technology
$184,285
Project Director: Jill Lewis(201) 200-2308
Institute for the Advancement of Community Leadership and Service Learning will expand higher education's involvement in the civic life of Jersey City and Hudson County.

Partners include city and county government, Jersey City Housing Authority, Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Hudson County Coalition of Nonprofit Organizations.


Thomas Edison State College
Mercer County Community College
$184,285
Project Director: William A. Watson(609) 777-4351
Collaboration for Trenton's Heritage Tourism Initiative will spur the economic revitalization of Trenton by creating an infrastructure to promote tourism linking visitation, the arts, culture, and entertainment.

Partners include city, county, and state government:Trenton School District; Mercer County Chamber of Commerce; Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau; Trenton Downtown Association; North 25 Corporation; Isles, Inc.

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