NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EPA Grant is Awarded to Borough of Middlesex

May 18, 2007 -- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $200,000 grant to the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) to be used for environmental assessments on possible or known contaminated Brownfield sites in the Lincoln Boulevard Rehabilitation Area.

This is the fourth Brownfield grant awarded to the MCIA. The grants, totaling nearly $1 million, have been or will be used at various Brownfield sites throughout the county, including those in South Amboy, Milltown, Middlesex Borough, Highland Park, and Carteret.

"The Middlesex County Improvement Authority submitted an outstanding grant proposal," wrote Susan Parker Bodine, assistant administrator of the EPA, in a letter to executive director Richard Pucci. "We deeply appreciate the tremendous commitment of time and energy that went into its preparation."

Pucci said the MCIA is dedicated to helping municipalities clean up and revitalize contaminated areas.

"It is this type of partnership, with the state and federal governments, that allows us to aid municipalities so that local officials can move ahead with redevelopment plans," he said. "We look forward to continuing to facilitate efforts to revitalize cities and towns in Middlesex County."

The Borough of Middlesex has already received three grants for the Lincoln Boulevard project – two Smart Growth grants from the Department of Community Affairs, and one grant from the Municipal Land Use Center – which have been used for planning purposes. The state Department of Environmental Protection will also determine whether the Lincoln Boulevard Rehabilitation project can be listed as a Brownfield Development Area, making it eligible to receive up to $5 million a year in funds.

"We thank the Middlesex County Improvement Authority for helping us attain these valuable resources," said Middlesex Mayor Jerry D'Angelo. "This is a massive project that cannot be accomplished without significant support from various entities."

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