Murphy visits 'city on the rise' Camden to announce $204M in funding. What it pays for
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
CAMDEN – New Jersey will provide $204 million this year for projects in the city that include vacant structure demolition, road improvements, and utility upgrades, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday.
The fiscal year 2023 state budget will provide $180 million of the total amount, with $100 million from the Municipal Aid Program. The remainder, about $24 million, will come from Transitional Aid program money not spent from the 2022 state budget.
“To be sure, I say this unequivocally, Camden is a city on the rise,” Murphy said at a mid-day news conference at City Hall. “A city that’s focused on doing right by the residents and businesses who call this place home through some tough times, as it is in attracting the new residents and businesses whose presence continues to brighten its future.”
According to the administration, $80 million is marked toward projects to be done through the city, county government, and the county Improvement Authority. Those projects include $35 million for demolition, under the county Improvement Authority; and $15 million for the county Regional Corrections Center Initiative.
More:Firm behind tabloid's infamous Bat Boy to open TV, film studio in this South Jersey town
More:Camden gets $62 million in federal recovery aid: How will the city spend it?
Mayor Vic Carstarphen, following the governor to the podium, stressed the promised aid is the largest amount ever pledged by the state to Camden.
“When you’re getting Transitional Aid of that magnitude, immediately what it says to me is that we’re doing some good things here,” Carstarphen said. “And people believe in what we’re doing. And people want us to continue to do great things.”
The mayor stressed $24 million will go to upgrades to municipal water and sewer systems.
The Transitional Aid is covering six areas.
$3 million for upgrades to the Camden County Police Department
$3 million for upgrades to City Hall and other city facilities
$10 million for road paving and upgrades
$2 million for Department of Public Works equipment
$2 million for illegal dump site remediation
$4.085 million for sewer and water infrastructure upgrades
State Assemblyman Bill Moen touted the $3 million for police, saying it means more crime-solving and crime-stopping technologies can be bought.
“Money-wise, it’s small,” Moen said. “But the impact is huge.“
Out of the $80 million, besides the demolition and corrections center earmarks, there are six other identified projects.
$10 million for Camden County’s work to rehabilitate Admiral Wilson Boulevard West.
$10 million for Camden County’s Park and Trails Program
$5 million for the Camden Housing Fund Initiative to further the development and construction of safe and affordable places for families to call home
$5 million for pedestrian safety improvements
$2 million for Camden Works for a pilot shuttle-bus program to connect residents with jobs
$600,000 for social services provided to individuals experiencing homelessness by Joseph’s House of Camden
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: NJ sending Camden $204M for infrastructure projects, Murphy says