JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The Jackson Township Council and Mayor Michael Reina recently have submitted multiple grant applications aimed at enhancing park infrastructure and are preparing to apply for additional funding opportunities focused on transportation and historic preservation.
The township has applied for two major grants to support upgrades at Justice Complex Park:
- FY25 Local Recreation Improvement Grant: Submitted on January 31, 2025, by the Community and Economic Development (CED) department, with an award notification expected in April 2025.
- FY25 NJDEP Green Acres, Jakes Law Grant: Submitted on February 5, 2025, with an anticipated award announcement in September 2025.
“These grants are a way for Jackson to make improvement without directly impacting our local property taxes,” said Council President Jennifer Kuhn. “We are actively working on grants at all stages of the process and we’re always on the lookout for new grants we can apply for to continue improving Jackson.”
Jackson Township is considering applications for two major funding programs in the very near future:
- NJDOT Transportation Alternatives Program: With a deadline of May 22, this federal program supports community-based projects such as pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, scenic turnouts, historic preservation, and environmental mitigation.
- NJHT Preserve New Jersey Historic Fund: With an April 24 deadline, this grant offers funding for historic site management, tourism planning, municipal planning, and capital preservation, requiring varying levels of matching funds.
Kuhn said the council is working closely with the administration for remediation options for Johnson Memorial Park, a capped refuse site with potential brownfield contamination.
She said that possible funding sources include the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund, which accepts applications on a rolling basis. Additionally, the township is working to meet the March 29, 2025, expenditure deadline for the Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) Extension to ensure grant funds are utilized efficiently.
These initiatives reflect Jackson Township’s ongoing commitment to improving public spaces, infrastructure, and historic sites.
“While we recognize that grants are not ‘free money’, these funds have already been approved at state or federal levels for disbursement to communities like ours,” she said. “If we don’t apply, other towns will, and they will get the money.”
