New FEMA Funding Targets Monmouth, LBI

Five coastal Monmouth communities and Beach Haven on Long Beach Island are in line for $12,900,000 in storm cleanup costs through the second round of grants by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Vice-Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that directs funds to FEMA, disclosed the allocation today, alongside Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

In a prepared statement, Menendez noted that the federal aid is partly in response to quick action taken by municipalities after the storms. "And we will continue working to ensure that every local government will get the resources they need to help make up for the cost burden Sandy laid upon them, allowing them to fully recover and rebuild,” he added.

FEMA issues public assistance grants through applications submitted by state officials, once they're received from local leaders. The agency customarily reimburses 75 percent of recovery costs, but Lautenberg and Menendez say they're lobbying to increase that figure to 90 percent.

The individual breakout is as follows:

• Middletown: $4,062,255
• Howell: $1,312,500
• Eatontown: $1,506,000
• Asbury Park: $1,399,012
• Long Branch: $1,055,475
• Beach Haven: $3,643,769