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Feds Approve New Jersey’s $1.83 Billion Community Development Block Grant Program For Sandy Recovery

Only those residents and business who have registered with FEMA by 11:59pm on May 1 will be eligible for CDB grants

Gov Chris Christie and HUD Sec Shaun Donovan at Bahrs Landing, Highlands, 4/29/13

Gov Chris Christie and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announce $1.83 billion in federal grant money for New Jersey’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy at Bahrs Landing, Highlands, 4/29/13. photo by Art Gallagher

U.S . Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan joined Governor Chris Christie at Bahrs Landing in Highlands this morning to announce that the Obama Administration has approved New Jersey’s application for $1.83 billion in grant funds to assist businesses and homeowners from the 9 counties catastrophically impacted by Superstorm Sandy in rebuilding to a “new normal.”

“Today we take another important step toward recovery and healing for hard-hit communities in New Jersey,” said Donovan. “HUD has worked closely with Governor Christie, Senators Menendez and Lautenberg, and the New Jersey Congressional Delegation to help design effective programs that will help small businesses reopen, get families back in their homes make communities more resilient as quickly as possible. We have also imposed additional internal controls and accountability measures and we will be working with the Inspector General to ensure that all funds are used as intended – to help families, small businesses and communities get back on their feet and rebuild.”

“Today’s news sends a very powerful message that New Jersey is moving forward and that the Jersey Shore will be open for business this summer,” said Governor Chris Christie. “These funds will provide critical resources to our Sandy-impacted homeowners and businesses to reconstruct, rehabilitate and continue down the road of recovery. While there is much work ahead of us, we have come a long way during these last six months, and I want to thank Secretary Donovan and his team for their tireless efforts as we all work together to rebuild our great state.”

Christie and Donovan said that the CDB grants will assist homeowners and businesses who have received all that is available from FEMA and their insurance companies, yet have fallen short in the funds needed to rebuild. Donovan emphasized that funds are available in the program for renters and the rebuilding of rental housing.

Only those residents and business who have registered with FEMA by 11:59 on May 1 will be eligible for CDB grants, Christie said.

Anyone who has not yet registered with FEMA should do so immediately by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by visiting FEMA’s website at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Posted: April 29th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Chris Christie, Christie Administration, Hurricane Sandy, Superstorm Sandy | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on Feds Approve New Jersey’s $1.83 Billion Community Development Block Grant Program For Sandy Recovery

Mainstream Media To Give The Jersey Shore A Needed Boost

morning_joeWe often complain about the leftist slant of the mainstream media here at MMM.  However, now is a time for those of us who live and do business at the Jersey Shore to say thank you in advance, and least to Comcast’s NBC properties.

NBC’s Today Show is broadcasting from Highlands on Saturday morning (Hint for Greg, put that on the list.) and 300 Comcast and Sherman Williams employees will volunteer to help Highlands business and homeowners rebuild their properties.

On Monday the 29th, MSNBC’s Morning Joe will broadcast from the Fifth Avenue Pavilion in Asbury Park, according to a report on Asbury Pulp.

When Governor Christie met with Jersey Shore business owners in Long Branch last week, they told him that one of their biggest challenges was in dealing with the widespread perception that the Shore is closed.  People remember the scenes of destruction that were all over the news in November and haven’t seen news of the progress we’ve made in rebuilding. Christie told the business people that a state funded advertising campaign is coming.  Unless that campaign features Christie shouting into the camera, “Get the hell onto our beaches ©  ,” the kind of ‘free media’ attention the Jersey Shore will get from Today and Morning Joe will make a much larger impact to the perception that the Jersey Shore is closed than an advertising campaign.

It’s not just a problem of attracting ‘bennies’ to come back with their money.  A few weeks back, a local elected official called me to ask for a recommendation for a Highlands restaurant on the water to hold an event.  For years his group gathered at Bahrs.  Where can he go on the water now that Bahrs is closed?  “Bahrs Landing is Still Standing“, I told my friend.

This kind of news coverage does not happen by accident.  I’d bet Christie’s team had something to do with it happening.   I wouldn’t be surprised to see him appear on his two favorite morning shows.  I’d love to see him in Highlands on Saturday morning, but I would guess he’s more likely to hang with Mika and Joe on Monday.  Maybe he will bring his bff Bruce with him.

Posted: April 24th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Asbury Park, Chris Christie, Christie Administration, Hurricane Sandy, Media, Superstorm Sandy | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »