FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 13, 2015

Christie Administration Awards Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Grants in Middlesex County

Grants Totaling $1,463,100 Enables Nonprofits to Perform Activities to Benefit Neighborhood Residents


MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III today announced $1,463,100 in grant awards through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program to Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen serving New Brunswick and Jewish Renaissance Foundation located in Perth Amboy. Since the creation of the NRTC program, 31 corporations have contributed $78,081,000 to fund 29 neighborhood revitalization plans in 15 urban municipalities throughout the state.

"The Christie Administration continues to support the NRTC program which encourages new housing options and economic development opportunities for small businesses in New Jersey’s urban neighborhoods," said Commissioner Constable. "This program continues to have positive impacts in New Jersey and has allowed the state to work with local organizations to foster revitalization in communities throughout Middlesex County. We will continue to invest in innovative programs such as this that will support New Jersey’s working families, seniors, and children."

Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen was awarded $615,625 for activities associated with its Unity Square 2015 project. NRTC funds will provide employment training skills seminars for 250 residents, with 85 to earn certification as forklift operators. It will also employ community residents in full-time work through "Corazon Kitchen," an existing food product business. Additionally, the grant will provide educational outreach and programming on housing-related matters, and offer individualized counseling to tenants and first-time homebuyers.

Jewish Renaissance Foundation (JRF) was awarded $847,475 for activities associated with its Perth Amboy Alliance for Community project. NRTC funds will provide educational and vocational programs for youth ages 16-24 years old, and for participants seeking to obtain their High School Equivalency (HSE) and complete basic knowledge in their chosen vocational area. The funding also contributes towards educational and vocational training scholarships for neighborhood residents to use for post-high school education in the academic, vocational or specialized training fields. The grant award will also provide community health education and healthy lifestyle activities to improve the overall health and quality of life for residents. In addition to health education, a mobile health unit will bring elements of care to citizens, including a full system of primary and preventative oral health services.

Other communities that have benefited from the NRTC program this year include Salem City, Paterson, Asbury Park, Elizabeth, Camden, Trenton, Newark and Orange.

Funds for Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen were contributed by Horizon Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson. Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen has had an approved NRTC plan since 2007, for the Unity Square neighborhood of New Brunswick. 

Funds for the Jewish Renaissance Foundation were contributed by Horizon Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, NJM Insurance Group, Public Service Enterprise Group and RTL Services.  Jewish Renaissance Foundation has had an approved NRTC plan since 2009, for the Greater Budapest neighborhood of Perth Amboy.

Companies that fund the program receive a 100 percent tax credit against various state taxes for their investments in revitalizing low-and moderate-income neighborhoods in eligible cities.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, incorporated in 1982, is a nonprofit agency dedicated to service, quality and outreach for members of the community, especially those who are poor, devalued and in need of help Additional information on CCD can be found at http://www.ccdom.org/.

The Jewish Renaissance Foundation was established in 1995 as a faith-based, nonprofit corporation with central offices in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Serving more than 2,200 people in Middlesex County each year, we are a leader in providing community coordination, emergency services, education, food and nutrition, family development, and employment and training. Additional information on JRF can be found at http://www.jrfnj.org/.

The NRTC program is administered by the Division of Housing and Community Resources and provides community based non-profit groups with corporate funding for implementing neighborhood revitalization plans.  The nonprofit organizations agree to allot at least 60 percent of the funds to housing and/or economic development activities.  The remainder may be used for complementary activities such as supportive services, improvements to streetscape and public open space, and community outreach activities.  NRTC has approved 96 grants to date to implement these neighborhood plans totaling $77 million in funding.

More information on the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, visit http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/nrtc.html

CONTACT:
Tammori Petty
(609) 292-6055