Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) today announced that he secured $243,000 to help build a new senior citizen center in Florence Township, Burlington County. 

    “This is good news for the people of Florence, especially its vibrant senior citizen community,” Smith said.  “This money will help the township build a quality and state-of-the-art facility to serve our senior citizens and the community as a whole.”  

    The funds were included in the long-delayed $397 billion omnibus spending bill for the federal government for the remainder of FY 2003.  After months of negotiations, the bill is expected to pass the House and the Senate and be sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. 

    Right now, seniors in Florence have been meeting at a couple of different facilities and have encountered difficulties in holding meetings because they do not have total use of the locations.   

    “This new facility will allow our seniors to gather for nutritious lunches and informative lectures and seminars, to participate in recreational activities, and to socialize with friends and colleagues,” Smith said.  “Through this significant grant, the federal government is doing its part to help our local community meet the needs of a growing senior population.  This facility will be a safe and enjoyable way for seniors to continue to be active in their community.”  

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 21 percent of the township’s nearly 11,000 residents are age 55 or older.  The proposed 2,500 square-foot, $600,000 senior center will likely be built at the intersection of Broad and Sterling Streets.

     The facility will be absent of stairs and thus totally accessible.  It will have a large meeting room as well as several smaller rooms so that several meetings or activities can occur simultaneously. It will also contain a complete kitchen. 

    The $243,000 for the Florence Senior Center is the latest money secured by Smith to build senior citizen centers.  Over the past few years, Smith has brought home more than $1 million to help build or renovate senior centers in Trenton, Hamilton Township, East Windsor and Hightstown, Washington Township – and now Florence Township.