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Monmouth County and 40 Towns Embark
on Smart Growth Regional Planning
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Commissioner Levin Announces Smart Future Initiative
Support for the Monmouth County Shore Regional Strategic Plan
BELMAR, N.J. – In a continuing effort to provide funds in support of regional planning for Governor McGreevey’s Smart Growth initiative, Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin today made a Smart Future Planning Grants announcement for the Monmouth County Shore Regional Strategic Plan. The grants will support the county and 40 municipalities in their regional smart growth initiatives. The announcement was made at the Belmar Train Station.
“Governor McGreevey recognized, in his State of the State address, that regional planning is integral to solving the problems of sprawl and overdevelopment in our State,” Commissioner Levin said. “If we are to preserve our quality of life in New Jersey, we must work together to cooperatively and comprehensively manage growth. Smart Future grants make that possible.”
Along with Monmouth County, the towns benefiting from the Smart Future Planning Grants include Aberdeen, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon By the Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Interlaken, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Manasquan, Matawan, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, South Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls , Union Beach, Wall Township and West Long Branch.
Monmouth County Smart Future Planning Grants
Last month, Commissioner Levin awarded an $87,000 Smart Future Planning Grant to Neptune Township and Asbury Park City, also in Monmouth County. This was the first inter-municipal grant to be awarded as part of the State’s Smart Future Initiative. The collaborative proposal is for the redevelopment of West Lake and Springwood Avenues.
“Monmouth County truly serves as a microcosm of New Jersey’s regional Smart Growth efforts,” Commissioner Levin added. “The County and the overwhelming number of towns serve to show the region’s dedication to working together to make the area the best it can be for generations to come. That’s what Smart Growth is all about.”
New Jersey’s Smart Future Initiative is funded through DCA’s Office of Smart Growth. Smart Future provides county and municipal planners access to state experts from DCA, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as funds to work with outside consultants with specialized expertise.
Left to right in photo:
Councilwoman June Atkins, Commissioner Susan Bass- Levin, Mayor John J. Merla, Jeffery Fink, KBA President
Photo courtesy of DCA |
BELMAR, NJ: On the Belmar Train Station platform, DCA Commissioner Susan Bass Levin announces Smart Future Planning Grants that will benefit Monmouth County and 40 towns, including Keyport, in their regional Smart Growth initiatives. Keyport will receive $82,000 to study the downtown waterfront redevelopment plan.
Smart Future Planning Grants are awarded through the Smart Future Initiative, which provides county and municipal planners access to state experts from DCA, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Transportation, as well as funds to work with outside consultants with specialized expertise. | |