Grant Program Launched After Sandy

New Jersey residents hit hard by Superstorm Sandy aren't the only ones in need of assistance.  Towns do as well. 

The New Jersey League of Municipalities is there to be an extra support arm.  There's also a new grant program that's out there to help alleviate some of the difficulty faced by officials.

The problem lies with the budgets.  Towns around the state were already hurting before the October 29th storm rolled through.  Now, situations remain dire in many areas around the shore.  Communities are borrowing money left and right, are trimming as much as they can and are working on shoestrings for the conceivable future.

The New Jersey Recovery Fund is working to add an extra layer of aid, financially.  The grant program is partnered with the Geraldine Dodge Foundation.  Town leaders and non-profits have until February 25th to submit a letter of interest.  The actual deadline for applying is late March.

League Legislative analyst Lori Buckelew says "we are in touch with officials on a regular basis.  We want them to take advantage of our help and any other help that may be out there."

Buckelew was the guest speaker at Tuesday's meeting of the Ocean County Mayor's Association in Toms River.  She was there to talk about a variety of issues - including the grant program.

According to the Recovery Fund's web site, they "will support catalytic ideas and projects with an emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability as New Jersey recovers from Hurricane Sandy. Preference will be given to efforts by nonprofit organizations and communities that: serve as demonstration projects from which others can learn; enhance projects funded with public dollars; and/or are complementary to other recovery efforts."

For more information and to download the necessary forms, visit grdodge.org/about-us/new-jersey-recovery-fund/.