GRAND OPENING – When the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied funding to help rebuild the boardwalk in Ocean Grove, Congressman Chris Smith joined the fight, working with the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) to reverse the decision. An effective team effort ensued with meetings and presentations in Washington underscoring public safety and the importance of the boardwalk. FEMA was convinced and the boardwalk opened in the summer of 2014. From left are Dr. Dale C. Whilden, President of OGCMA, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, State Senator Jennifer Beck, Gov. Chris Christie, and Neptune Township Mayor Dr. Michael Brantley.
Below are highlights of the many ways in which federal Sandy disaster relief funds have assisted localities in New Jersey’s Fourth District with their ongoing recovery efforts:
Avon by the Sea:
Avon-by-the-Sea Approved for $2.3 million FEMA Grant to Recover from Sandy
Belmar:
FEMA OK’s $9.2 Million Grant for Belmar Boardwalk Destroyed by Superstorm Sandy
Bradley Beach:
FEMA Awards Bradley Beach $1M Grant
Brick:
Brick Gets $4M from FEMA for Recovery
Colts Neck:
FEMA OK’s $2 Million for Colts Neck to Help Pay for Superstorm Sandy Costs
Howell:
Howell Twp. Federal Assistance for Superstorm Sandy Clean-Up Costs to Reach $2.7M
Manasquan:
Manasquan Borough Awarded $4 Million Grant to Help Pay for Superstorm Sandy Clean-Up
Ocean County:
Ocean Co. Awarded $1.5 Million Grant to Help Pay for Sandy Emergency Response
Ocean Township:
Ocean Township Awarded $1.5 Million-plus FEMA Grant to Help Pay for Superstorm Sandy Clean-Up Costs
Point Pleasant Beach:
Point Pleasant Beach Gets FEMA Assistance for Superstorm Sandy Recovery
Sea Girt:
FEMA OK’s $1.6 Million for Sea Girt to Help Pay for Superstorm Sandy Damage to Boardwalk
South Monmouth:
FEMA OK’s $1 Million for Sewer Station Heavily Damaged by Superstorm Sandy
Spring Lake:
Spring Lake Disaster Assistance Approved by Federal Emergency Management Agency
Wall:
FEMA OK's $1.6M for Monmouth Town
Wreck Pond:
Wreck Pond Clean-Up in Monmouth County Wins Continued Federal Support
Manasquan Mayor George Dempsey outlines Congressman Smith's work in fighting for Sandy recovery assistance at the November 2013 groundbreaking of a beach reconstruction project. Smith and the mayor walked through residential and beach areas in the days after the storm.
Several Communities:
Army Corps of Engineers Completes Project to Restore Beaches from Manasquan to Belmar
Federal Funding to Help Rebuild Rt. 35
FEMA OK’s $1 Million for Sewer Station Heavily Damaged by Superstorm Sandy
Dept. of Interior funding will assist national parks, wildlife refuges and historic places in N.J.
GOING TO THE TOP: Congressman Smith, center, asks FEMA head Craig Fugate, on left, about increasing assistance to Sandy-hit towns. Smith represents large sections of the Jersey Shore in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The meeting was fruitful; weeks later Fugate agreed to provide 90 percent federal funding to many NJ projects, an increase from the normal 75 percent federal cost share. The favorable ratio change saved local towns and counties and the state millions of dollars. |
