U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jeff Van Drew Thursday announced the award of $10.3 million in Community Project Funding that will deliver jobs and improve public safety in South Jersey, including funding for additional security cameras for Atlantic City, a job training program at Jewish Family Services of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, and forming a business hub at Atlantic Cape Community College.
"I am thrilled to announce that my efforts to secure substantial funding for South Jersey public safety grants has culminated in $10.3 million for our district and the mechanisms for the recipients to utilize these grants are already in place," Van Drew said in a release. "This marks a significant step towards vital improvements for the communities we serve. Specifically, these grants will create jobs and improve public safety across South Jersey, which is especially important at a time where violent crime has surged nationwide and, notably, Atlantic City just experienced four homicides in a single week."
The funding is part of Congress' fiscal year 2023 budget designating $15.3 billion for 7,200 local or community projects nationwide. Under a new funding system implemented in 2022, members of the House and Senate are able to request funding for specific projects. Formerly called earmarks, the new process is designed to be more transparent and avoid conflicts of interest. Requests from House members are called Community Project Funding and from Senators, Congressionally Directed Spending.
Community Project Funding secured:
- $3,750,000 was awarded to Salem County to help upgrade the Salem County Courthouse. This project will expand the courthouse by nearly 100,000 feet and add important security features including ballistic glass, duress alarms, proper screening areas, handicap accessibility, and secure and separate parking for judges.
- $800,000 was awarded to the Atlantic City Police Department to expand their Citywide Cameras public safety program. This program will improve the ability of Atlantic City police officers to respond to and investigate crimes and public safety incidents across the city.
- $1,000,000 was awarded to the Atlantic City EnVision Center's Electric Installation and Cybersecurity Training Program. This program will train and employ dozens of South Jersey residents in support of the Atlantic City Police Department's public safety cameras initiative.
- $2,200,000 was awarded for safety improvements on Route 72 in Stafford Township, Ocean County. This will greatly improve public safety on Route 72, one of the most travelled highways in Ocean County.
- $1,000,000 was awarded to the Cumberland County Youth Violence Prevention program. This program will improve economic opportunities and reduce violent crime among young people in Cumberland County by offering support services for physical and mental health, academic success, and economic mobility.
- $550,000 was awarded to the Jewish Family Service for the "Boosting to Work" Initiative. This program will provide services to help South Jersey residents access job training, overcome barriers to employment, and increase household income. It will support small and large businesses by connecting qualified workers with employment opportunities.
- $1,000,000 was awarded to Atlantic Cape Community College's "BizHub" program, which will serve existing businesses, new businesses, and residents of Cape May County seeking assistance and resources for exploring the opportunity to start a business in Cape May County,
