Monthly Archives: June 2016

Governor Christie: The people in this state are being driven from this state because of high property taxes. We know that. We also know that children across the state, especially in those 31 districts, are being driven from a productive, happy, successful future by a failed education system. Neither one of those things are acceptable to me. So now you know the governor has put forward what is now called a ‘radical’ school funding plan.

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced more than $5 million in grants to the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority (BRSA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Sandy. The grants will help repair BRSA’s main pumping station and Dewatering/Incineration building

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today unveiled federal legislation that takes aim at zombie homes that plague New Jersey communities and drive down property values. New Jersey had the highest foreclosure rate in the nation in 2015 with over 35,000 filings and a recent report found the state has the most vacant zombie foreclosures in the nation with over 4,000.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin today continued the “Jobs that Pay” tour at Versatex Building Products, a manufacturer of trim, fascia, soffit, and decorative exterior moulding pieces for the home. Davin commended company officials for its continued growth and strong commitment to supporting its workforce

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association today applauded the approval of funds for water infrastructure projects throughout the state, saying it addresses a critical need. The Assembly Budget Committee released two bills (A-3883 and A-3884) that would appropriate more than $400 million from the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust for low-interest loans to pay for drinking water and clean water projects, as well as combined sewer overflow abatement projects.

The issue that in every poll that you see for my lifetime has been named by the people of New Jersey as the most important issue: reducing property taxes. The 2% cap has restrained property taxes and if we pass this school funding formula, you will see why the 2% cap is so important because if you give them all this money, believe me they’ll want to spend it. But with a 2% cap they’ll only be able to spend 2% of the new money they get.

Housing advocates met with New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (pictured center) on the Senate Floor to urge support for greater investment in affordable homes and communities

Enjoy some live and intimate performances in the picturesque and serene Cottage Garden at the Morris County Park Commission’s Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township on Friday nights this June and July, featuring a wide mix of music and some tasty deserts

As part of its ongoing commitment to help families impacted by Superstorm Sandy by linking them to available resources, the Christie Administration announced that its six Sandy Housing Counseling Agencies are holding free outreach activities this month in counties most impacted by Sandy.

New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) is once again joining forces with Music Choice- the multiplatform video and music network that delivers music programming to millions of consumers nationwide through their televisions, online and mobile devices- to repair the Elysian Fields Community Garden in Paterson, NJ. Students and teachers from Paterson’s Public School 5 will work with over 150 Music Choice employees to build a Vertical Garden, weed and mulch garden beds, repair a mosaic mural, repair and paint garden boxes for families to harvest their own produce, weed and refresh the butterfly garden, and much more!

The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) brought its Community Development Spotlight series to Jersey City today to recognize efforts taken in Hudson County to create a model for the nation on how to address homelessness. Event partner Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation (GSECDC) was among three community development organizations that were recently awarded $1.3 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for homeless prevention.

Upcoming training programs offered in several areas of the State by not-for-profit economic development corporation UCEDC are designed to help develop financial and business literacy for business owners at all stages of maturation. In partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), the comprehensive, six-week “Entrepreneurship 101” program walks entrepreneurs through all aspects of starting a business, culminating in the development of a business plan.

Representatives from Valley National Bank presented housing counselors from non-profit community development organizations their latest homeowner mortgage product. Pictured from left to right: Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer of the Network; Bernadette Mueller, executive vice president and senior community reinvestment act officer, Valley National Bank; Elizabeth DeLaney, first senior vice president; Victor Urbanovich, senior vice president and residential mortgage loan officer, Valley National Bank; and Sharon Barker, vice president and chief operating officer, the Network

The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) is launching its first ever Community Development Spotlight series during the month of June. Throughout the state, the Network will partner with member organizations on events that showcase the scope of the work of New Jersey’s nonprofit community development sector