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Fifth Annual Union County Infrastructure Grant Program

A park in Elizabeth. A sidewalk project in New Providence.  Repairs for municipal buildings in Garwood.  Numerous road repavings. These are some of the projects that this year’s Union County Freeholders Infrastructure Grant program will fund throughout the County.

In all, the Freeholders made awards to 21 municipalities as part of the fifth annual Union County Infrastructure Grant program, funding projects aimed at spurring economic development growth, and providing indirect tax relief.

The program was conceived by Freeholder Christopher Hudak in 2015, developed by the County’s Freeholder Fiscal Committee and administered by the Department of Economic Development.  This year’s Freeholder Fiscal Committee included Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella, and Freeholders Sergio Granados, Angel Estrada, and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded.

Road improvements once again topped the list as the most requested program for funding, among the municipalities.

“A recent statewide poll taken by Stockton University noted that 46 percent of New Jersey’s commuters sustained a flat tire or some other damage to their vehicles because of roads in need of repair or resurfacing,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Infrastructure grant program is aimed at helping our municipalities make these and other needed improvements—and provide relief for our commuters.”

Freeholder Hudak agreed, adding:

“Our goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities and leverage their funds in making essential improvements,” said Freeholder Chris Hudak. “With more people moving into Union County than ever before, and new development coming on line, it’s important that we continue to make infrastructure our highest priority.”

 The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2019.

Funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014.

MunicipalityAmountProject(s)
Berkeley Heights$55,000Miscellaneous Drainage Improvements
Clark$50,000Road Improvements
Cranford$92,500Paving Program
Elizabeth$125,000Marciante-Jackson-Millet Park Improvements
Fanwood$55,000Roadway Improvements for Stewart and Ginder
Garwood$40,000Municipal Facilities Repairs
Hillside$55,000Orchard Terrace Drainage Improvements
Kenilworth$65,000Borough Hall Safety and Security Improvements
Linden$100,000Resurfacing of Cranford Avenue
Mountainside$50,000Resurfacing of Partridge Run
New Providence$55,0002019 Sidewalk Project
Plainfield$100,000Woodland Avenue Roadway Improvement
Rahway$85,0002019 Road Resurfacing Project
Roselle$60,000Roadway Improvements Project
Roselle Park$55,000 Improvements to Filbert Street
Scotch Plains$100,000Road Work Assistance Program
Springfield$57,500Improvements to Evergreen Avenue
Summit$95,000Drainage Improvements on Wallace Road
Union$90,0002019 Road Program Phase II for Fairway Drive South
Westfield$95,000Improvements to Rahway Avenue
Winfield$20,000Various Improvements