Getting People Back to Work

Governor Chris Christie toured a restoration project in Bradley Beach today, where workers were hired through a National Emergency Grant from the federal government.

NJ Department of Labor Commissioner Hal Wirths and Governor Chris Christie announce the progress of a federal grant obtained after the superstorm. (Governor's Office/Tim Larsen)

The $15.6 million grant obtained by the Christie Administration puts unemployed New Jersey residents back to work in jobs related to cleaning up after Superstorm Sandy. Bradley Beach is one of dozens of communities in 11 New Jersey counties that have helped 428 people escape unemployment.

"Another 650 unemployed residents are slated to be brought on in the coming weeks," said Christie.

The storm, the worst to strike New Jersey in 100 years, cost the state over 8,000 jobs in November.

The Governor told the public and media:

“With the NEG grant and the $26 million being released through three programs we have initiated -- Recovery4Jersey, Skills4Jersey and Opportunity4Jersey – we are helping Sandy-impacted businesses and workers, as well as investing in our future economic growth. New Jersey, its citizens, communities and businesses are resilient, and I assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in bringing the Garden State back better than ever.”

Nearly 200 Garden State employers have already applied for grants under the $26 million economic recovery package Christie launched four weeks ago.