How Ocean County, NJ plans to spend millions in American Rescue Plan Act funds

🔵 Ocean County has received more than $25-million in American Rescue Plan Act funds

🔵 How Ocean County plans to spend the federal money allocated to assist residents and businesses

🔵 Ocean County Commissioners welcome public input on how to spend the money

Ocean County Commissioners have announced the ways in which they are looking to spend the more than $25-million in American Rescue Plan Act funds in helping residents and businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

How Ocean County plans to spend federal Covid relief-recovery money

The proposed funding plan from the Ocean County Commissioners as of right now would include appropriating $9.5-million to "combat the negative economic impacts of the pandemic" starting with what they're calling the Housing Insecurities and Homelessness Services project.

This would provide temporary and transitional housing support focusing in on re-housing, fiscal aid, and other services for people experiencing homelessness.

It would also help those in the program with getting assistance for housing stabilization and other forms of financial aid including rental assistance, rental application fees, moving expenses and other needs.

Another portion of the funds would help with the Ocean County Aging and Disability Resource Center program to help seniors and young adults in need.

What other ways Ocean County is looking to spend Covid relief recovery funds

Ocean County Commissioners are looking to allocate nearly $3.7-million to address public health, mental health, and behavioral health issues brought about by the pandemic by providing a variety of support services for all ages.

They would also be looking to upgrade emergency response communications equipment and allocate funds to the boroughs of Ship Bottom and Beach Haven for "needed infrastructure projects" and some other funds for Northern Barrier Island towns from Point Pleasant Beach to Berkeley Township to "cover the local costs for a needed beach renourishment project."

How you can submit feedback for how Ocean County should spend this Covid recovery money

The Ocean County Commissioners are holding a public hearing on February 7 at 11:00 am at the Ocean County Administration Building on Hooper Avenue in downtown Toms River.

They will also be meeting at 4:00 pm on February 15 at their meeting that day as well where they plan to approve the spending plan.

What to expect in Ocean County in 2023

“With so many people, including children and teenagers, now suffering with negative mental and behavioral health impacts, and others struggling to get back on their feet financially, a large percentage of the funds will go to updated initiatives and expansion of current services to help our residents,” Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn, who serves as a liaison to the Ocean County Finance Department, said in a written statement. “After a thorough review of how the funds can be used, it was determined these are areas along with assisting our municipalities, that needed our response.”

“It’s important residents and organizations have an opportunity to provide input and comments on how we anticipate allocating these funds,” Commissioner Jack Kelly said, who also serves as liaison to the Ocean County Finance Department, said in a written statement. “While this is just a portion of the money Ocean County will receive, we want to be transparent of its use.”

Get our free mobile app

Ocean County Commissioner Joe Vicari retiring