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County of Union Announces New Infrastructure and Municipal Aid Matching Grant Improvement Program for Municipalities

Goal of program to stimulate public project of economic, transportation, social and governmental importance to local municipalities

ELIZABETH, UNION COUNTY, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced the creation of the Union County Infrastructure and Municipal Aid grant program, designed to stimulate the development of local projects of economic, social, transport and governmental importance to local municipalities.

The matching grant initiative will make available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities to achieve and will assist in expanding the ability of municipalities to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2015. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

“Our overarching goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities in an area where State and Federal assistance has been lapsing,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak. “At the same time, this will stimulate some job growth and provide an important public benefit in helping towns to build important development projects or address short-term or long-term governmental, social, transportation matters that require attention.”

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

Some examples of projects eligible for this grant are: 

  1. Downtown Development Projects
  2. Economic Development Plans
  3. Large and small scale construction projects
  4. Community Enhancement projects
  5. Master Plans/Feasibility Studies/Transportation Plans
  6. Child Care/Senior Care Infrastructure Projects
  7. Road Work, including pothole repair and structural enhancements

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, 2015. The application period will be limited to 30 days, commencing on April 16, 2015 and concluding on May 18, 2015.

Municipalities that are interested in applying for the grant should contact the office of Deputy County Manager William Reyes Jr. at 908-527-4200 to obtain the forms.

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