Funding For Manufacturing Vouchers Increasing By $20M

From The Desk Of The Governor Phil Murphy

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy highlighted the additional $20 million included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to boost the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program (MVP) – bringing the program’s total funding to $53 million. MVP, developed in 2022 as a pilot program, provides manufacturers vouchers to purchase equipment they need to improve their operations and upgrade their businesses.

“New Jersey’s manufacturers are critical to

Homeless:

Continued From Page 4 effective solutions.

Many of the narratives focusing on homelessness highlight veterans, families, seniors, and those with mental illness in need. However, one speaker suggested another group faces severe challenges in finding affordable housing.

“It was almost 21 years ago when there was a forum held here on poverty in Ocean County,” said Paul C. Williams. “There was an individual who came before you and introduced himself and said he just finished seven and a half years in prison.”

“He had explained to you the interest he had in you not adding funding,” Williams continued. “But to take some of the funding that was being made available to deal with the issue of poverty our economy and nation’s supply chain,” said Governor Murphy. “The Manufacturing Voucher Program is a proven success, and this additional funding will help even more businesses modernize and become more efficient and profitable.”

Since the program’s launch, the NJEDA has awarded 189 vouchers to manufacturers across New Jersey totaling $23.4 million and continues to process and approve applications daily. Additional FY2024 funding for the program will enable the NJEDA to fulfill those applications that were submitted after the program was oversubscribed and launch Phase II of the program, with a date to be announced in the coming months.

“Throughout Governor Murphy’s tenure, New and earmark that for the needs of the men and women who were returning back to the community.”

Williams identified himself as the individual who made that request two decades ago. Reflecting on his own experiences, Williams highlighted the opportunities present in the current initiative and emphasized the importance of providing resources and services to prevent recidivism and protect the community.

As the president and founder of Project Heuristic, Williams implored the commissioners to recognize the dire needs of individuals in this specific subgroup of the homeless population, many of whom are grappling with addiction and trauma.

Various other homelessness advocates expressed their gratitude or listened attentively to learn more about the homelessness trust fund. Each com -

Jersey has prioritized strategies that support and bolster our manufacturing sector by ensuring companies have the resources and capital needed to continue making products used by consumers domestically and abroad,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “I thank Governor Murphy and the Legislature for passing a budget that will further enable us to meet the needs of additional New Jersey manufacturing companies, which in turn will grow our economy, and strengthen our supply chain.”

In October 2022, Governor Murphy announced the MVP as a pilot program, which was originally funded with $20 million from the FY2023 budget. In March, to fulfill a robust pipeline of eligible applications, the NJEDA Board approved the increase of the program’s available funding to $33.75 million.

The MVP offers vouchers valued at 30 to 50 percent of the cost of eligible equipment, in- missioner acknowledged Crea’s efforts, recognizing her pivotal role in the fund’s creation. cluding installation, up to a maximum award amount of $250,000. The program focuses on manufacturers within targeted industries that will use purchased equipment to integrate innovative technologies, processes, and materials to improve the efficiency and productivity of their manufacturing business. Both for-profit and not-for-profit companies are eligible for vouchers.

An atmosphere of hope, emotion, and positivity followed the unanimous approval of the ordinance. Crea, who diligently took notes during the commentary, absorbed the sentiments shared and appeared quite moved.

The State of New Jersey enacted the “County Homelessness Trust Fund Act” in 2009, granting county governments the authority to create county homelessness prevention trust funds. This legislation enabled county-operated programs to effectively address the needs of homeless individuals and families. The counties that have preceded Ocean County in establishing Homelessness Trust Funds are Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, and Union.

In line with Governor Murphy’s vision to create the most diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem in the nation, the New Jersey MVP offers stackable bonuses for certified woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned businesses. The stackable bonuses are also available for businesses in Opportunity Zones, businesses purchasing equipment within New Jersey, manufacturers that have a collective bargaining agreement, and small companies with less than 100 full-time equivalent employees.

The increase in fees for recorded instruments takes effect on September 1, 2023, and could raise anywhere from $275,000 to $390,000 annually. The funds collected will be dedicated to ongoing homelessness and housing instability programs, as well as the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing projects for homeless individuals or families.

With a population of over 650,000 people, Ocean County currently has approximately ten percent of its residents living in poverty. The dire situation affects all age groups, with children accounting for fifteen percent of those in poverty and seniors making up seven percent.

“The fund is not the final answer in helping our citizens,” Crea acknowledged. “But it’s an important step to assist in our ongoing efforts to help our residents.”

Hands For All

A Division of HOMES FOR ALL, INC.

A Not-For-Pro t A ordable Housing Developer

680 Hooper Ave. • Building B 2nd Floor Toms River, NJ 08753

Tel: 732.286.7929 • Fax: 732.286.9698

Relay for Life:

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The Berkeley-Lacey Relay for Life will be returning to Veterans Park in Bayville on August 12 and 13. (The address of the park is 9 Tilton Boulevard but most people just know it as the large park on Veterans Boulevard east of Central Regional’s campus.)

As usual, the relay will start on Saturday with a Survivors Luncheon at noon followed by opening ceremony held around 2 p.m. After that, participants start taking laps, said chair Robyn Griffith.

Entertainment will be on hand throughout the event, in the form of a DJ, bands, games and more.

At 10 p.m. there will be a luminaria ceremony. This is a touching moment when lanterns symbolically light up the darkness.

Last year was feared to be the last Berkeley-Lacey relay, the event’s leaders said at the time. It is a huge undertaking and COVID-19 made gatherings of cancer survivors and caretakers a dangerous idea. However, there was clearly desire from locals because the event raised about $42,000, more than twice their initial goal.

Students at Howell High School raised over $77,000 at their Relay for Life event this year, achieving the eighth highest amount in the nation.

Relays are still popular as we start to rebuild from COVID-19. It’s an outdoor event, so social distancing is possible. However, since there are cancer survivors with compromised immune systems and caretakers who are close with people who are currently fighting the disease, caution is urged.

MANCHESTER TIMES • BERKELEY TIMES • BRICK TIMES

JACKSON TIMES • HOWELL TIMES • TOMS RIVER TIMES

SOUTHERN OCEAN TIMES

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Stew Swann Vice President/COO

Jason Allentoff

Distribution Manager

Laura Hoban

The relay raises money for cancer research and support of families. It got its start in 1985, when Dr. Gordon Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising money to help the American Cancer Society. The walk was about 83.6 miles and he raised $27,000. The next year, the Relay for Life was born. It has continually been an overnight event since then. No one walks for 24 hours straight, though. They take turns, and that’s why it’s a relay.

In 2021, the event was supposed to be held in the summer, but COVID numbers were too high so it got pushed to the fall. But in fall, the numbers were still high in the county so the group changed the walk to a drive-by celebration.

How To Join

The relay can be found by visiting Cancer.org . Click “Relay For Life” toward the bottom of the page, and then click “Join A Relay.”

You can also visit secure.acsevents. org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=104890

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Join Stafford EMS

Adriana Miranda

Allison Gradzki Graphic Artist

Julia Wilkens

STAFFORD – It is time once again for the Recruitment Process to begin! Have you ever considered becoming an EMT? Stafford EMS is in need of motivated, willing candidates that would like to discover the world of emergency medicine and pre-hospital care.

Come join the organization and help give back to your community. They provide you with all necessary training at no cost to you and the necessary tools to perform the duties in emergency medical services. Consider joining the team, they are excited to continue growing the organization!

Visit squad38.com/recruitment to apply and also review the different classes of membership to see which best fits your interest!

Fishing Flea Market

MANAHAWKIN – The Manahawkin Elks Lodge presents their Fishing Flea Market on September 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 520 Hilliard Boulevard, Manahawkin.

Enjoy over 30 vendors that includes fishing, food and beverages. For more information, call 609-597-1107 or contact kngwal@aol.com.

Christmas In July

LONG BEACH – In 2022, Saint Francis Community Center was able to provide over 500 children with gifts of warm clothing through the Gift of Warmth Project.

Consider making an early donation to an incredible program. Gift cards and donations should be marked “Gift of Warmth.” Questions may be directed to the Family Support Department at 609-494-8861 ext. 197.

Waves Of Strength Surf Therapy

LONG BEACH – Join on July 29 (surfing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Low tide is 10:30 a.m. Rain date August 6) at 68th street beach in Long Beach Township for a day of fun in the sun.

4th Annual Surf Therapy for special needs kids. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your young one to riding waves with a team of experienced instructors.

For more information, visit wavesofstrength.org.

EDUCATORS! Have a special event planned for your class? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!