RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces Federal Investment for Local Projects Advancing Through House Appropriations Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced that all ten of the community projects submitted on behalf of Fifth District local governments and transit agencies have been included in legislation to be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee. This moves these Fifth District community projects another step closer to becoming a reality.

Gottheimer submitted these ten Community Project Funding proposals for consideration to the House Appropriations Committee earlier this Congress. Each Fifth District project has now been approved by the relevant Appropriations subcommittees. They will now be voted on by the full Appropriations Committee before heading to the House floor for consideration. Following House passage, they will then need to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President.

Local, county, and state government entities, as well as nonprofits, were eligible to submit requests to their Member of Congress that included community projects like a community center, senior center, recreation center or park, water infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, health care services, education programs, social services, police services or equipment, and other local government projects and programs.

“By working closely with North Jersey’s local counties, towns, and municipalities, I’m fighting in Congress to secure federal investment to move critical projects forward that help our communities. With all ten Fifth District community projects included in legislation to be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee, we’re one step closer to clawing back more federal dollars to North Jersey,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “If fully signed into law, this federal investment will improve our local transit systems, infrastructure, and transportation, and help lower the property tax burden on our residents.”

“Hardwick Township is thrilled and honored to be chosen as one of the ten projects in Representative Gottheimer’s District to be considered for a Community Funding Program award. If we are fortunate enough to be selected as a recipient of this award, our community will benefit significantly as we are a small community with limited resources. With this funding we will be able to upgrade our municipal IT equipment and capabilities and execute a total redesign of our Township website. I would like to thank Representative Gottheimer and his team for offering the opportunity to apply for this funding and for the outstanding support and constituent services they consistently provide,” said Hardwick Mayor Kevin Duffy.

“Ridgewood Water has encumbered significant costs to update its infrastructure, vital treatment technologies, which will be ongoing. As a customer, I appreciate the updated technology to protect our drinking water. However, the rate payers will ultimately be saddled with the financing. By selecting this as an Appropriation Request, the Congressman will potentially help not only the Glen Rock rate payers, but our neighbors in Wyckoff, Midland Park and Ridgewood,” said Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Moriecko.

“The Congressman has been a great ally of Sussex Borough over the years. He has reached out to us to gain understanding of our needs, find the resources available and make certain we received what resources were available. Being selected by the Congressman as a project for direct funding will greatly improve our chances of addressing our sewer and water needs without drastically increasing our rates,” said Sussex Borough Mayor Ed Meyer.

The ten community projects championed by Gottheimer through the Appropriations Committee:

• Bergen County’s Hackensack Transit Connector Project — $250,000.
• Hackensack University Medical Center’s CT Scanner Acquisition Project — $775,000.
• Hardwick Township Virtual Services Upgrades — Amount: $17,460.
• New Bridge Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Emergency Dept. Expansion Project — $2 million.
• Newton Medical Center Behavioral Health Department Renovations Project — $750,000.
• Paramus Borough Prospect Avenue Sewer Pump Station Project — $250,000.
• Ridgewood Water Drinking Water Treatment Facilities Construction — $2.8 million.
• Saddle River’s Sewer Main Construction Project — $1.1 million.
• Sussex Borough Water Utility Improvement Project — $100,000.
• Sussex County Elderly, Veteran, and Employment Services Transportation Services — $500,000.

More information on community projects can be found here.

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