Inlet Development Community Corp. receives neighborhood revitalization funds

From left, - Jean McAlister, Chief of Staff, Atlantic Cape and Chief Advancement Officer, Atlantic Cape Foundation; Bill Callahan, General Manager, Ocean Casino Resort; Hugh Turner, CFO/SVP, Ocean Casino Resort; Dr. Natalie Devonish, VP, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Atlantic Cape; Jim Rutala, President, Atlantic Cape Foundation; Keith Groff, Chairman, Inlet CDC; Bernadette Twardy, Board Member, Inlet CDC; Lizbeth Castro-James, Director and Community Outreach, Worthington Atlantic City Campus; Walter Johson, Board Member, Inlet CDC; Michael Intrieri, Project Lead, Inlet CDC; and Victor Moreno, Senior Manager, Special Projects, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Atlantic Cape.

ATLANTIC CITY - The Inlet Development Community Corporation received a $950,000 donation from Ocean Casino Resort, via Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program funds from the State of New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, during a check presentation, complete with a stunning oceanfront backdrop, on the 11th floor of Ocean Casino Resort. Members of the leadership teams from Ocean and the Inlet CDC were present.

The funds, which included a $50,000 donation from Tropicana Atlantic City for a total contribution of $1 million, will be used to support the Inlet CDCs Atlantic City Inlet NOW! Revitalization Project to improve commercial businesses and their facades, offer housing rehabilitation grants, clean and safe initiatives, community programs, outreach and education, and career training.

Ocean Casino Resort is committed to supporting our Atlantic City community through local partnerships, charitable donations and philanthropic efforts, Ocean Casino General Manager Bill Callahan said. This newest donation of nearly $1 million will help fund a project right in our backyard; rehabilitating homes in the inlet, improving Altman Park, and providing safer and more well-lit pedestrian/bike trails.

The Inlet CDC was one of four nonprofit entities and their respective projects in Atlantic City, along with the Atlantic City Development Corporation's Chelsea Neighborhood Plan 2024  project, the Atlantic County Economic Alliance and Ducktown CDC's Revitalize Ducktown project, and the AtlantiCare Foundation's Midtown in Motion Revitalization Plan, to receive funding from the Department of Community Affairs in Trenton.

"I am really excited to work collaboratively with the CDCs, City Government and the DCA to move the needle in redeveloping Atlantic City," said Dr. Natalie Devonish, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Atlantic Cape.

The nonprofit Inlet CDC was established in mid-2023. The Inlet Revitalization Action Strategy includes many community-endorsed initiatives that have been identified as critical for improving outcomes for neighborhood residents and businesses. Public meetings, focus groups, and individual interviews were conducted with Inlet residents and business owners with the goal of developing a strategy that was truly resident driven.

The Inlet CDC's plan is committed to:

• Housing rehabilitation by improving 10 existing homes so they meet current code enforcement requirements and Energy Star standards.


• A commercial rehabilitation and facade improvement program, overseen by the Atlantic County Improvement Authority, to provide funds for local businesses in need of a facelift to make the Inlet commercial corridor vibrant for its residents and visitors.


• Homeownership Education and Assistance Program to provide educational and financial support for Inlet homeowners to maintain and sustain their homes.


• An Inlet-resident-led committee, with support from the Inlet CDC and ACIA, to oversee the issuing of five grants to Inlet businesses and microenterprises (a business with five or fewer employees) to help them purchase equipment, get business plan/development training and retail space improvements.


• Park and streetscape improvements, expanded arts and community programming events, Inlet marketing initiatives, clean and safe initiative and a full-time staff to help oversee the Inlet CDC itself.

Atlantic Cape supports the needs of Atlantic City's residents and students. The college has been an intricate partner in the Atlantic City community and the Inlet Neighborhood, specifically.

The NRTC Program provides businesses with a 100% tax credit for funds that are provided to nonprofit entities tasked with carrying out comprehensive revitalization plans in their respective communities. These nonprofit entities must utilize at least 60% of the funds for housing and economic development projects while the remaining 40% of the funds may be used for support services and other neighborhood revitalization activities.

Visit acinlet.org for more information.