FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 26, 2005
IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES 2005
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT
GRANT RECIPIENTS
MILLVILLE, NJ: The Cumberland County Improvement Authority
announced today the recipients of their 2005 Community Environmental
Enhancement Grants. The program was established in 2002 to
assist community groups, environmental groups, non-profit groups,
faith-based organizations, service clubs, and sportsman groups
in preserving and improving the environment in Cumberland County.
This year, over $300,000 in grants are being awarded to 21
Cumberland County groups.
“
We continue to be extremely pleased with the quality and comprehensive
nature of the applications which were selected this year,” said
Cumberland County Improvement Authority Board Chairman Albert
Kelly. “We are also very pleased that we were able
to award a record number of grants in 2005 to a geographically
diverse group of applicants representing all parts of the
County.
In fact, we nearly doubled the number of groups receiving
grants this year over 2004.”
“
Environmental education is a lifelong learning process,” said
Improvement Authority Recycling Committee Chairwoman Virginia
Curliss. “Through the Environmental Enhancement Grant
Program, we are able to assist in the funding of community
grassroots environmental projects that ensure the residents
of Cumberland County are environmentally aware and are able
help maintain an ecologically and economically sustainable
environment for future generations.”
“
Over the past three years, the Environmental Enhancement Grant
Program has successfully helped dozens of non-profit organizations
develop environmentally related programs which have provided
a variety of benefits to the community,” said Steven
R. Wymbs, Cumberland County Improvement Authority Executive
Director. “In addition, through grant funding, matching
funds, volunteer efforts, and various partnerships, well
over $1,000,000 has been put back into our communities in
an effort
to enhance the environment for years to come.”
“
The various groups work closely with Improvement Authority
staff to monitor the progress of their individual projects,” said
Cumberland County Recycling Coordinator Dennis DeMatte, Jr. “As
in previous years, the funds for each grant recipient are
not released until after the Authority is provided with documentation
that pre-approved activities outlined in the grant application
have been completed. This procedure has proven to be effective
and has resulted in the successful completion of all approved
projects to date.”
“
Utilizing economies of scale, we are able to help the individual
groups save money on the purchase and shipping of materials
such as recycling containers, signs, picnic tables, park benches,
and playground equipment,” DeMatte continued. “In
addition to saving money, this helps create a common identity
for the program. For example, litter containers and signs
are all the same color, design, and size. This helps residents
recognize these items and provides continuity between various
projects throughout the County. We can also ensure that the
products are made from recycled materials.”
Unique projects which were selected to receive a 2005 grant
include the restoration of portions of the Millville Army Airfield
Museum, restoration of the Willow Oak Nature Conservancy public
hiking trail by Boy Scout Troop #43, recreational equipment
for youth sports programs, partnerships with area art districts,
enhancing an old sandwash into a lake to sustain aquatic vegetation
and to provide a habitat for fish, and providing outdoor information
kiosks including a recycling message in the Glasstown Arts
District.
“
I was happy to see a number of new groups submit applications
again this year,” Wymbs continued “The applications
continue to be creative, and the resulting projects are leaving
an indelible mark on the landscape of Cumberland County. Whether
it is new playground equipment constructed with recycled materials,
enhanced recreational areas including new locations for fishing
and other outdoor activities, new educational programs, or
one of the nation’s largest floating docks made from
recycled plastic lumber, the program is making a difference
for our residents.”
The 2005 Environmental Enhancement Grant recipients include:
Affordable Homes of Millville Ecumenical
Bayshore Discovery Project
Boy Scout Troop 43
Bridgeton Babe Ruth League
Commercial Township Seniors
Cumberland County Federation of Sportsmen
Cumberland County S.P.C.A.
Greater Cumberland United Way
John Wesley United Methodist Church
Mauricetown Fire Company
Millville Army Air Field Museum
Millville Development Corporation
Natural Lands Trust
New Jersey Audubon Society
Riverfront Renaissance Center For The Arts
Shiloh Elementary School PTO
South Jersey Healthcare Foundation
Stow Creek Township PTO
Vineland Community Art Alliance
West Cumberland Little League
Wheaton Village
“
On behalf of the Improvement Authority Board, I would like
to congratulate all of the groups who participated this year
as well as Director Wymbs and his staff who continue to do
an outstanding job with the Enhancement Grant Program,” Kelly
concluded.
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For more information about this press release, please contact
Dennis DeMatte, Jr. at 856-825-3700.
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