Rebuilding Fort Monmouth After Sandy

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) is committed to Monmouth County’s efforts to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy and redevelop Fort Monmouth. That’s the takeaway from Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon after today’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing in Trenton.

“We were knocked down by Sandy and the State has been there from the beginning offering a helping hand to get businesses and families back on their feet,” said O’Scanlon, who represents Monmouth County. “From providing temporary housing units for families to providing grants and loans to businesses that suffered damage, the authority has been absolutely committed to our region and intends to place staff in our communities – potentially at Fort Monmouth – to ensure easy access to grants and assistance for business owners.”

EDA President Michele Brown testified before the budget panel. She says her Authority’s efforts to date include;

• Administering $500 million of federal disaster recover aid to storm-impacted businesses.

• Planning a marketing campaign to let people know New Jersey is open for business.

• Providing 115 temporary housing units at Fort Monmouth for Sandy victims.

• Successfully attracting two companies to former military installation – CommVault Systems with 1,500 jobs and AcuteCare with 50 jobs.

“Since the closure of Fort Monmouth, we have taken great care to make sure the military installation is redeveloped in a way that will help drive our local and state economy for years to come,” said O’Scanlon. “I have complete faith that this administration will make sure this transformation is done right.”