NEWARK- U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced a total of nearly $9.4 million in federal funding to reimburse New Jersey communities for their response and recovery work following Superstorm Sandy. The funding, distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Public Assistanceprogram, is being provided to Middlesex County, Monmouth County and Monmouth County Public Works Department, Seaside Heights, and Woodbridge Township.

"With the start of the summer tourist season a few short weeks away, this federal funding is critical to helping these counties and communities recoup some of the expenses associated with responding to Superstorm Sandy,"said Senator Menendez, who helped lead the New Jersey delegation's fight for federal Sandy relief."There are still many challenges to face on the road to full recovery. I will continue fighting for the federal resources we need to help all New Jersey communities rebuild even better and stronger than before the storm."

"It is good news that this federalfunding is continuing to flow into local communities, helping them recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. This federal aid will help pay for emergency actions taken intheimmediate aftermath of the storm, as well as ongoing repairs that are rebuilding our state stronger than ever before,"said Lautenberg,a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds FEMA.

Details of the five grants follow:

  • $1,257,465toMiddlesex Countyfor repair of the boardwalk at Old Bridge Waterfront Park.
  • $3,714,294 to Monmouth County Public Worksfor the department's pre-Sandy effortstoprotect against flooding, and its post-storm response work of clearing blocked roads, setting up evacuation routes and detours, and blocking hazardous areas.
  • $1,291,688 to Monmouth Countyfor the Sheriff's Department efforts to provide security at shelters, conduct welfare checks, perform search and rescue operations, and operate 911 call centers following Superstorm Sandy.
  • $1,390,633 to Seaside Heightsforsearch and rescue operations,sheltering operations, operating an emergency mobile kitchen that provided more than 300 meals per day, and providing round-the-clock police protection for homes and businesses destroyed or damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy.
  • $1,734,561 to the Township of Woodbridgefor the Township's massive debris clean-up following Superstorm Sandy.

In January, the President signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure.

Public Assistance grants are awarded by FEMA on a rolling basis after receiving applications from thestate, which coordinates the process with local governments.

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