Today, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted his second “Return on Investment Roundtable: Fighting for Federal Funds for the Fifth,” with leaders from communities in Sussex and Warren Counties. The roundtable was led by the Congressman, Janis Rega, Area Director of Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Christopher Rodriguez, Director of New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

“We are one of the top three percent tax-paying Districts in the Country, yet we only get 33 cents back for every federal tax dollar we send to Washington – way less than ‘moocher states’ like West Virginia and Louisiana,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why today I hosted a Return on Investment Roundtable with local leaders from across the District on strategies for applying for and winning these grants to get the Fifth District a better return on the money it sends to Washington, DC. I want to thank Dr. Rodriguez and Janis Rega for supporting Warren and Sussex County families.”

“USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities like those here in Warren and Sussex. Through our various financial assistance programs, we touch rural America in many ways to help improve the economy and quality of life for rural America,” said Kenneth Drewes, USDA’s Acting State Director. “With Congressman Gottheimer, we were able to share with Warren and Sussex Counties opportunities like the Community Facilities Program, which can provide assistance for a variety of essential community projects such as municipal buildings, fire stations, public works buildings, libraries, and many others.”

“To keep New Jersey families safe, counties like Warren and Sussex need to be applying for the SECUR-NJ and federal nonprofit security grant programs. Today’s roundtable made sure that the information got into the hands of local stakeholders responsible for applying for the grants to ensure that these communities have the resources they need to protect themselves. I appreciate Congressman Gottheimer’s support in spreading this important message,” said Dr. Christopher Rodriguez, Director of New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

In addition to the grants discussed by USDA and OHSP, Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) grants were discussed during the roundtable. AFG grants offer support for fire safety and prevention. CARA grants provide funding to our towns in their fight against the opiate crisis.

Below, from right to left, is Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) with Christopher Rodriguez, Janis Rega, and Allamuchy Mayor Keith DeTombeur from the “Return on Investment Roundtable: Fighting for Federal Funds for the Fifth.”

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