State Sen. Ellen Karcher and Assemblyman Michael J. Panter (both D-Monmouth and Mercer) announced the receipt of New Jersey Clean Communities grants for every community in the 12th Legislative District.
According to a press release, the grants help municipalities combat litter and graffiti. Funding for the grant program is generated through a statewide fee on companies that manufacture litter-generating materials and products, such as plastic foam packing material.
“This funding will help beautify local towns while fostering a sense of pride and community involvement among residents at the same time,” Karcher said. “The repairs and cleanups are necessary, and the grant program will enable them to be made at no additional cost to local taxpayers.”
The Clean Communities grant program is operated by the state Department of Environmental Protection. This year, 559 municipalities and all 21 counties will receive more than $9.5 million in funds, according to the press release. Municipalities will receive $8.46 million and counties will receive $1 million. Counties and communities around the state will be able to use this money for litter prevention, graffiti cleanup, public awareness efforts against littering, and adopt-a-highway cleanup campaigns.
“New Jersey’s quality of life depends heavily on how clean we keep our neighborhoods,” Panter said. “These litter prevention and public awareness programs go a long way toward making our communities more inviting and attractive. These funds help defray costs that would otherwise be shouldered by New Jersey’s property taxpayers.”
The 12th District will receive $98,031 in county assistance grants – $62,959 for Monmouth County and $35,071 for Mercer County.
The 12th District also will receive $180,328 in municipal grants – $15,271 for Colts Neck, $22,049 for East Windsor, $4,000 for Englishtown, $4,795 for Fair Haven, $8,175 for Freehold Boro, $30,861 for Freehold Township, $4,410 for Hightstown, $5,825 for Little Silver, $29,406 for Manalapan, $13,682 for Millstone, $5,708 for Oceanport, $10,518 for Red Bank, $4,000 for Shrewsbury Borough, $4,000 for Shrewsbury Township, and $17,624 for Tinton Falls.
The money can be used to fund projects and purchase equipment to advance litter prevention, public education programs and more. The Clean Communities funding distribution is based on an established formula that takes into account housing units and road mileage markers when determining grant distribution levels.
“The residents of the 12th District have worked hard to make their communities safe and clean and the state has a responsibility to assist in those efforts,” Panter said.
“The money we invest in keeping our communities clean pays dividends environmentally and economically,” said Karcher.