Soon, coastal New Jersey communities and organizations will be able to apply for grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for projects building up local ecosystems and communities for future natural disasters and extreme weather.

    “We’ve all seen the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy on our beaches, coastal towns, and communities along inland waterways,” Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) stated. “We’ve also seen the resilience of New Jersey residents in rebuilding from the disaster.”

    “I encourage all eligible applicants to consider applying for these NOAA grants, to ensure that when the next natural disaster strikes, we are better prepared for the devastation.”

    The NOAA will be awarding up to $15 million in grants in 2018 for “projects that benefit coastal ecosystems and communities,” in its Coastal Resilience Grants Program. Eligible applicants for these project grants include colleges, for-profit and non-profit groups, Native American tribes, coastal towns and counties, and coastal states. The projects must take place in areas along the coastline or in a watershed connected with the ocean.

    Applicants must submit pre-proposals for projects to the NOAA by March 7, 2018 to be considered in the 2018 grant competition; if they are ruled eligible by the NOAA, they then have 40 days to submit full project proposals. For more information on how to apply, click here. 

    “Should they choose to apply, I encourage all applicants from my district to contact one of our local offices for a Congressional letter of support,” Smith stated.

    The contact information for the district offices of Rep. Chris Smith is listed below:

Monmouth County Constituent Services Center

112 Village Center Drive, Second Floor
Raintree Shopping Center
Freehold, NJ  07728
phone (732) 780-3035 
fax      (732) 780-3079

Ocean County Office
405 Route 539 (Pinehurst Road)
Plumsted, NJ
phone (609) 286-2571, or (732) 350-2300
f ax (609) 286-2630 

Hamilton District Office
4573 South Broad Street 
Hamilton, NJ 08620
phone (609) 585-7878
fax      (609) 585-9155 

    Smith represents the Fourth Congressional District of New Jersey, which includes parts of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties including the coastal communities from Ocean Grove to Bay Head; and many of the tidal communities along the Manasquan River, Shark River, Shrewsbury River and Navesink River.