DCA Announces $1.49 Million in Main Street New Jersey Transformation Grants
Grants Will Assist with Improvement Projects within Designated Main Street Districts and Support the Development and Implementation of District Goals
Trenton, NJ - The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced the award of $1.49 million in Main Street New Jersey Transformation Grants to Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) district organizations across the state. The grants are aimed at improving the appearance, quality of life, and local commerce within MSNJ districts.
“DCA recognizes how important Main Street New Jersey is to the economic and social health of our communities, which is why we continue to invest significant resources in the program,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “The grant funding will be used for storefront improvements, creative and cultural placemaking, and marketing strategies to take downtowns to the next level. We can’t wait to see how these projects positively impact main street districts around the state.”
This is the sixth year in a row that DCA has distributed funding to MSNJ districts. In that time, the program has awarded approximately $5.5 million in grants – including the funding announced today – to MSNJ district organizations.
“When main streets are healthy, communities are healthy,” said Gina Fischetti, coordinator of Main Street New Jersey, which is administered by DCA. “Therefore, we are pleased to provide grants that help communities reshape their main streets into vibrant places that draw people to live, work, and visit.”
The MSNJ Program helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance, and image of their central business districts through the organization of local citizens and resources. Municipalities must apply and meet the program’s requirements to be selected to join the MSNJ Program, which was established in 1989. These designated communities receive technical support and training from DCA to assist in restoring their main streets as centers of economic and social activity.
The purpose of the MSNJ Transformation Grants is to financially assist efforts aimed at enhancing the appearance, quality of life, and local commerce in designated MSNJ districts. The projects must occur within the boundaries of the designated MSNJ district.
The seven types of projects and activities that were eligible for Transformation Grant funding are as follows:
- Storefront and Facade Improvement Projects;
- Streetscaping Projects;
- Courtyard and Alleyway Improvement Projects;
- Public Art Projects;
- Placemaking Projects;
- Operational Assistance; and
- Marketing Assistance.
Additionally, districts were eligible to apply for support to: 1) reimburse the salary of a part-time employee during the grant period, 2) reimburse the costs of an audit required by DCA, and 3) reimburse the costs associated with the purchase of technology or computer hardware needed for implementation of eligible projects or the functioning of the District Management Organization (DMO).
A description of the grant recipients and projects are listed below:
2024 Main Street New Jersey Transformation Grant Recipients
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Main Street District Organization
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County
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Project
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Amount
|
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Fair Lawn Economic Development Corp.
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Bergen
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Funding will be used to cover one employee’s salary, costs associated with a required audit, and relevant technology to optimize how Fair Lawn Economic Development Corp. operates. Funds will also contribute to the continuation of the main street district’s flower program and landscape and street cleaning services.
|
$150,000
|
|
Main Street Mount Holly
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Burlington
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Funding will allow for additional commercial grade planters; murals; planting daffodils for an annual springtime display of color and adding lighting in the heart of the main street district on High Street. Funds will also reimburse costs associated with the district’s annual financial audit; website and social media presence; and the development of a branding and marketing campaign to benefit local businesses. Additionally, the district will use the funds to assist newly created businesses through a program that will provide start-up funds and resources.
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$150,000
|
|
Vineland Downtown Improvement District/Main Street Vineland
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Cumberland
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Funding will reimburse costs associated with placemaking, public art, and upgrading façades to create improved aesthetics in the shopping area. These include acquisition of land and development of a kids' park, including a mural, gazebo and butterfly garden for micro-events; a PIN sculpture representing Vineland Downtown Improvement District branding logo within the main street district; façade grants for businesses in the district; and replacement of approximately 100 street banners and hardware for street poles.
|
$150,000
|
|
South Orange Village Center Alliance
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Essex
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Funding will be used for placemaking efforts on West South Orange Avenue. A community space will be created through debris removal, concrete slab installation, landscaping, added seating, and infrastructure equipment. A digital kiosk and its required electrical system will be funded and serve as an information hub for residents and visitors.
|
$110,000
|
|
Montclair Center BID
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Essex
|
Funding will be used to install a public art mural, replace current planters with concrete ones, and implement advanced technology for improved collaboration and communication.
|
$150,000
|
|
Downtown West Orange Alliance
|
Essex
|
Funding will be used to reimburse the district for streetscape projects, including purchasing planters and garbage cans, adding to the banner inventory, doing two murals, and developing a Playful Learning Art/Education project. Funding will also cover a parklet structure, outdoor play designs, and operational support.
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$150,000
|
|
Springfield Avenue Partnership
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Essex
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Funding is to purchase new benches as part of a larger streetscape reconstruction program.
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$50,000
|
|
Metuchen Downtown Alliance
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Middlesex
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Funding will be used for façade improvements and enhancements such as maintenance work, painting, and signage replacement. Funds will also cover the cost to upgrade two restaurants’ outdoor canvas structures with wood and iron parklets. The Town Plaza will receive a mural to encourage selfie taking and the electric system required to light all the downtown plaza’s trees.
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$140,000
|
|
Red Bank River Center
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Monmouth
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Funding will be used for the district’s “Walk of Fame” efforts in partnership with The Count Basie Center for the Arts. Funds will also cover landscape improvements throughout the district; lighting for the boardwalk, a temporary pedestrian plaza; and a two-year subscription to Placer.ai.
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$150,000
|
|
Boonton Main Street
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Morris
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Funding will enhance one of the district’s parking areas by repaving it and adding art installations, seating, and a digital parking kiosk. Funds will also contribute to current marketing efforts and operational support.
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$125,000
|
|
Downtown Bernardsville
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Somerset
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Funding will reimburse the district for a subscription to Placer.ai's platform to provide the business community with personalized data to support their marketing and operation initiatives. Funding will also be used for a street banner and signage program, public space activation, business support grant for marketing, and operational support.
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$150,000
|
|
Summit Downtown Inc.
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Union
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Funding will reimburse the district for a subscription to Placer.ai's platform to provide the business community with personalized data to support their marketing and operation initiatives.
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$15,000
|
| |
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Total
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$1,490,000
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|
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More information about the MSNJ Program, including the application process, can be found at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlps/msnj.shtml.
The Division of Local Planning Services works with communities to achieve local land use and planning goals. As part of DCA's commitment to provide technical assistance to municipalities, the Division’s professional planning staff provides comprehensive planning services at no-cost to local governments.
DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.
For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media:
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