Carteret, NJ – On Tuesday March 30, Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman announced that a total of $50,000 will be made available for capital improvements to local non-profit facilities. Funding has been allocated through the Community Development Block Grant (C.D.B.G.) program, and will allow non-profit and faith-based organizations to apply competitively for mini-grants through the Borough’s Community Development office.
Applications will be due on May 1st, according to Mayor Reiman, and will allow local organizations to submit proposals for capital improvements with a usable lifespan of 15 years or more. Non-profits may apply for up to $5,000 as a 50% match towards the costs of their project.
Mayor Reiman announced the new program at a workshop held for local non-profit and faith-based organizations on Tuesday, stating that grants will enable applicants to improve the ways in which they provide their services to the community.
“We have a good number of local non-profit organizations that provide valuable services to the needy in our community,” Mayor Reiman said. “This new grant opportunity will allow local non-profit and faith-based organizations to initiate improvements that will have a direct effect on the quality of services they offer, by making a lasting investment in their facilities.”
The Community Development Block Grant program flexibly provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program has been one of the longest continuously run programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D.). The C.D.B.G. program provides annual grants on a formula basis to 1209 general units of local government and States.
Since the beginning of Mayor Reiman’s administration, approximately $900,000 in C.D.B.G. funding has been applied towards community improvements in Carteret.
“Many of these organizations have experienced growth disproportionate to their facilities,” Finance Chair Jorge Diaz added. “Particularly in these trying economic times, funding for capital improvements may have fallen short of the mark. We’re committed to providing funding opportunities for non-profit organizations and agencies that provide services directly to our residents.”
