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Applications Now Open For 2016 Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid Grant Program

bulldozer via osha.govUnion County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that applications will be accepted for the second round of Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grants for a 30-day period beginning on January 26 and concluding on February 26.

The grant program began in 2015 to assist projects of economic, social, transport and governmental importance to local municipalities.

“In its first year, the Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program helped to fill critical gaps in State and Federal funding for local projects,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The response from our municipalities was overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to another round of County funding that will help improve transportation conditions in our communities.”

The Infrastructure program was developed through the County Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee in 2015, chaired by Freeholder Christopher Hudak, which includes Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Sergio Granados and Angel Estrada.

This year’s matching grant initiative will again make available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, covering projects undertaken in calendar year 2016. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

Based on the response to last year’s round of funding and surveys conducted through the County’s public outreach efforts, the 2016 grant program will focus mainly on road repair and resurfacing. Applications for other types of projects will be accepted, but special consideration will be given to applications associated with municipal roadway improvements.

The grant program is part of Freeholder Chairman Bergen’s “Move. Connect. Grow” 2016 transportation initiative, designed to enhance the movement of people and goods in and around Union County.

Other elements of the initiative include:

  • Completion of the Union County Transportation Master Plan, a key planning tool.
  • Creation of new bike paths.
  • Continued advocacy for regional transportation improvements, including expansion of “one-seat” rail service to New York City from Union County, and for the construction of the new Gateway Tunnel rail project.

In addition, last week the Freeholder Board authorized the beginning of engineering design work for improvements to four key crossings, the Elm Street Bridge in Westfield, the West Tracy Road Bridge in Mountainside, the Hussa Street Bridge in Linden, and the Irving Street Bridge in Rahway.

Application forms for the Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program may be viewed on the County website, ucnj.org/infrastructure-application.

Each of the twenty-one municipalities may apply for one or more projects. Projects must be current initiatives, and all funding awarded must be expended by December 31, 2016. The application period will be limited to 30 days, commencing on January 26 and concluding on February 26.

Municipalities interested in applying for the grant should contact Kathleen Addessa at the Union County Department of Economic Development to obtain the application form, 908-527-4087 or kaddessa@ucnj.org.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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