Hunterdon County Commissioner Board awards additional development block grant funding for community development
FLEMINGTON, NJ (Hunterdon County) – The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners approved additional grant funds in the amount of $460,971.00, for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CV1 and CV3, to be used for community development projects in Flemington.
Funds from the CDBG, must be used to develop communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, primarily for low-and moderate-income persons. The award amount of $67,031, will be used by Flemington for ADA compliant parking and pedestrian access and for implementation of ADA compliant Community Operations Reception Center for the new police department.
Deputy Director, and liaison to the Human Services Department, Jeff Kuhl shared, “The Department of Human Services is home to programs, activities and outreach services that are designed to help the most vulnerable members of the community and for certain residents, provide essential improvements and assistance in daily living conditions. We are grateful for the work that Director of DHS, Meagan O’Reilly and all her staff do in assisting residents that are in need of public services. Ms. O’Reilly has been instrumental in helping the municipalities in navigating the application process for these funds, which exist to improve the quality of life for county residents.”
The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners previously approved a grant award in the amount of $370,892.00, for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CV2, to be disbursed amongst the Bloomsbury, Flemington, and Glen Gardner municipalities. Hunterdon County received CBDG-CV funds from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), through the CARES Act.
The CDBG was established in 1974 under the Housing and Community Development Act. Under the CDBG CV Program, grantees may use funds to undertake a variety of projects including public facilities and public improvement projects. Activities must be eligible under regular CBDG rules, including meeting a national objective and being undertaken to prevent, prepare or respond to the pandemic and its effects.
Director for the Department of Human Services, Meagan O’Reilly said, “These funds will be used to improve access for people with disabilities to the new police station in Flemington, increase safe pedestrian access in Bloomsbury, and provide updated outdoor recreation space in Glen Gardner.”
The application process involves a preliminary review of a proposed project that is completed in consultation with the DCA, a review committee then meets and makes recommendations, followed by a public hearing which is held to notify the public of prospective projects. Once approved by DCA and County Commissioners, the county initiates agreements with awardees.
