This Highlands Council currently has four active grant programs. Please Note: As required by the Highlands Act, all grantees will be required to submit a detailed scope of work that includes only deliverables that effect local or county regulatory changes or master planning initiatives.

Planning Grants
Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding Program
Sustainable Agriculture Grants
TDR Feasibility Grants

Planning Grants

The Highlands Council provides planning grants to support costs associated with the development and/or revision of local planning and regulatory documents to integrate the land use provisions and resource management protections of the Highlands Act, so that those documents align with the goals, polices, and objectives of the Highlands Regional Master Plan.

Grants are non-competitive and no match is required. Grants are reimbursement based and require an approved scope of work prior to project start. Technical assistance and coordination with other state agencies is also available.

Eligibile Applicants
Municipal and County governments in the New Jersey Highlands Region, as defined by the Highlands Act.

Eligible Expenses
Planning, design, engineering costs.

Applications/Guidance

Contact
Herbert S. August, Manager of Grants Administration
herbert.august@highlands.nj.gov or 908-879-6737 ext. 102

An overview of planning grant expenditures to-date is available here.

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Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding Program

Overview
The Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding program is a matching grant program designed to support the acquisition of property for the protection of resources within the Highlands Region, and to further the goals of landowner equity as specified in the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004 and the Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP). The Highlands Council will provide a maximum grant award of 50% of the total purchase price of the property.

Eligible Applicants

  • State agencies
  • Any of the seven counties located in the Highlands Region
  • Any of the 88 municipalities located in the Highlands Region
  • Charitable conservancies.

Eligible Projects
Applications will be considered for acquisition of property in fee simple or through conservation easements for any passive recreation or conservation purposes. This includes restrictions on future development and protection of uses including, but not limited to parkland, natural areas, greenways, farmland, and other natural resources identified in the RMP. See application package below for complete information.

Application Package
Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding Program (pdf)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications are accepted at any time; there is no application deadline. Following review of materials, applicants will be notified if funding is currently available for the submitted project proposal.

Contact
Allison Bittner, Regional Planner
allison.bittner@highlands.nj.gov or 908-879-6737 ext. 131

Completed OSP Projects: Open Space Registry (pdf)

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Sustainable Agriculture Grants

Overview
The Highlands Council is offering grants to nonprofit organizations and public institutions of higher education for projects that advance innovative/alternative sustainable agriculture. Applications are currently not being accepted in this program. Please check back periodically for updates.

Complete Program Details and Application Instructions (pdf)

Eligible Applicants
• Any nonprofit organization as defined at IRC Section 501(c)(3),
• Any public institutions of higher education as defined at N.J.S.A. 18A:64J-30

Verification of nonprofit status is required.

Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include any initiative that will assist agricultural operations in the Highlands region including value-added facilities, technical assistance, new farmer programs, sustainable land management practices and other sustainable agricultural activity.

Ideal proposals in this grant program will be innovative in nature, replicable, and aligned with goals, policies, and objectives of the Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP).

Contacts
Corey Piasecki, Principal Planner
corey.piasecki@highlands.nj.gov or 908-879-6737 ext. 129

James Humphries Director of Planning, Science and GIS
james.humphries@highlands.nj.gov or 908-879-6737 ext. 128

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TDR Feasibility Grants

Overview
TDR Feasibility Grants provide financial and technical support to municipalities interested in exploring the possibility of designating a TDR receiving zone in their community. Participation in this grant program requires a commitment by a municipality to fully evaluate the feasibility and desirability of designating a receiving zone, but does not obligate a municipality to establish such a zone. Additional information is available via the link below.

Eligible Applicants
Any municipality in the State of New Jersey.

Contact
Herbert S. August, Manager of Grants Administration
(908) 879-6737 or herbert.august@highlands.nj.gov

 

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