New Jersey received approval and funding totaling $1.83 billion for its ""disaster recovery plan"":http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/sandyassistance.html that will help homeowners and businesses rebuild after Hurricane Sandy, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced in a release Monday. The funds were from the department's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
[IMAGE]The funds will help communities in New Jersey with the long-term process of rebuilding damaged homes, restoring infrastructure, and stimulating business activity and job growth, Donovan explained.
[COLUMN_BREAK]The plan provides more than $1 billion for housing programs, $200 million for economic revitalization, and $225 million for infrastructure and public service programs. Eligible small businesses will be able to receive grants or low-cost loans.
""HUD has worked closely with Governor Christie, Senators Menendez and Lautenberg, and the New Jersey Congressional Delegation to help design effective programs that will help small businesses reopen, get families back in their homes make communities more resilient as quickly as possible,"" Donovan said.
""Today's news sends a very powerful message that New Jersey is moving forward and that the Jersey Shore will be open for business this summer,"" said Governor Chris Christie. ""These funds will provide critical resources to our Sandy-impacted homeowners and businesses to reconstruct, rehabilitate and continue down the road of recovery. While there is much work ahead of us, we have come a long way during these last six months, and I want to thank Secretary Donovan and his team for their tireless efforts as we all work together to rebuild our great state.""