West Orange, Local Group Earn Community Grants (See The List)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange and a local nonprofit will get an influx of federal cash through annual community grant programs, officials recently announced.

Essex County will be distributing about $5.7 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) and the Emergency Services Grants (ESG) to local municipalities and groups for 2024.

In total, 10 municipalities and 30 community organizations will be getting funds, which come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and are administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development (see the full list below).

In West Orange, the recipients include:

• Township of West Orange - $274,000 for road rehabilitation of Valley Road ($200,000), Bethany Center ($49,000) and Main Street Counseling Center ($25,000)
• Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ - $10,000 for the frail adult program

Municipalities and nonprofit organizations must meet specific criteria established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be eligible for grant funding. The funds have no impact on the county budget, and can’t be used as revenue in the county’s operating budget.

“Programs supported through the CDBG and ESG programs are direct investments to provide services that enhance our quality of life and help stabilize our neighborhoods by modernizing our infrastructure and supporting programs that assist vulnerable populations,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“These federal grants enable us to upgrade our sidewalks and roads, enhance handicap access, address mental health needs, support food pantries, and stimulate the overall development in our communities,” he added.

Commissioner President Carlos Pomares thanked all the nonprofits and municipalities that submitted applications this year.

“It is rewarding to see all the projects and programs being supported and knowing the impact they will have,” Pomares said.

Here’s where the money will be going, according to county officials:

TOWNS, CITIES

A total of $4,343,781 was awarded to 10 municipalities and county programs in the Essex County consortium.

Grant funding will be used to repave roadways, improve handicapped accessibility at public buildings, install new sidewalks, improve water and sewer lines, purchase a vehicle for senior citizen transportation and enhance park facilities.

Grants ranged in size from $30,000 to Roseland for ADA improvements at Tedesco Park to $320,000 to Belleville for water line replacement and $320,000 to Orange for the rehabilitation of Tompkins Street.

Essex County was provided with $1,047,356 for program oversight, monitoring and administration and $1,636,825 for roadway improvements to Clinton Avenue in Irvington and Irvington Avenue in South Orange.

Bloomfield, East Orange, Irvington and Newark apply for CDBG funding independently and do not participate in the Essex County consortium, officials noted.

Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Glen Ridge, Millburn, North Caldwell, South Orange and Verona did not submit applications.

NONPROFITS

A total of $893,000 was awarded directly to nonprofit community organizations. Grant funding will support mental health counseling, supportive services for disabled residents, vocational rehabilitative services, facility upgrades and the purchase of vehicles.

Grants ranged in size from $10,000 to Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ in West Orange, NCJW of Essex in Livingston and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan NJ in Newark to $185,000 to the Arc of Essex County for building improvements. Essex County was provided with grants of $250,000 for the Home Improvement Program and $100,000 for the Tenant Resource Center.

SOCIAL SERVICES

A total of $460,630 was awarded to nine local social service agencies through the Emergency Services Grant program. Funding will be used to renovate shelter facilities, support housing programs and homeless prevention services, and street outreach initiatives.

Grants range in size from $12,000 to Newark Emergency Services for rapid rehousing activities to $145,083 to YMCA of Newark and Vicinity for shelter and rapid rehousing activities.

Essex County was provided with a $34,547 grant to administer the program.

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