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.
| Municipality | Amount | Project(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley Heights | $55,000 | Miscellaneous Drainage Improvements |
| Clark | $50,000 | Road Improvements |
| Cranford | $92,500 | Paving Program |
| Elizabeth | $125,000 | Marciante-Jackson-Millet Park Improvements |
| Fanwood | $55,000 | Roadway Improvements for Stewart and Ginder |
| Garwood | $40,000 | Municipal Facilities Repairs |
| Hillside | $55,000 | Orchard Terrace Drainage Improvements |
| Kenilworth | $65,000 | Borough Hall Safety and Security Improvements |
| Linden | $100,000 | Resurfacing of Cranford Avenue |
| Mountainside | $50,000 | Resurfacing of Partridge Run |
| New Providence | $55,000 | 2019 Sidewalk Project |
| Plainfield | $100,000 | Woodland Avenue Roadway Improvement |
| Rahway | $85,000 | 2019 Road Resurfacing Project |
| Roselle | $60,000 | Roadway Improvements Project |
| Roselle Park | $55,000 | Improvements to Filbert Street |
| Scotch Plains | $100,000 | Road Work Assistance Program |
| Springfield | $57,500 | Improvements to Evergreen Avenue |
| Summit | $95,000 | Drainage Improvements on Wallace Road |
| Union | $90,000 | 2019 Road Program Phase II for Fairway Drive South |
| Westfield | $95,000 | Improvements to Rahway Avenue |
| Winfield | $20,000 | Various Improvements |
