NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An Economic Development and Redevelopment Update from the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA)

November/December 2009 -- The MCIA is currently working with Middlesex County municipalities for three US Environmental Administration Grants that provide for investigation of sites for environmental contamination. The purpose of the work is to inform town officials and property owners of accurate environmental information to expedite possible remediation and redevelopment of these underutilized or problem sites. The status of these three grants is:

• Petroleum Sites Grant ($XXXXX) – The Borough of Carteret and the Borough of Middlesex have designated XX sites to be assessed. Currently the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is reviewing a Site Investigation Report for a Middlesex Borough site, and it is expected that a No Further Action letter will be issued by the NJDEP. This will allow any site plans to proceed. In Carteret, the USEPA is reviewing a Preliminary Assessment and Site Investigation Work Plan for what is known as the Villani property, and site investigation work can begin once the USEPA approval is issued.
• Hazardous Materials Sites Grant ($XXXXX) – The Borough of Middlesex has been the prime focus of this grant and the NJDEP is now reviewing a Remedial Investigation and Remedial Action Selection Report that includes suggested partial soil excavation, a soil cap and possible long term ground water monitoring. Next steps would include supplementary sampling and eventually the development of properties at 146 and 150 Lincoln Blvd.
• Brownfield Assessment Coalition Grant ($1 Million) – The City of Perth Amboy and the Township of Woodbridge will share the benefits of this USEPA grant. Both municipalities are providing lists of properties for investigation with Perth Amboy focusing on 450 acres in the southern part of the city designated Redevelopment Area 1 and Woodbridge concentrating on the Rt. 1 Avenel corridor. This unique grant includes participation of various community groups in the marketing/communication functions of the grant.

 The MCIA assists Middlesex County municipalities with an array of services for redevelopment projects. Services include: redevelopment advice, pre-development work, feasibility and marketing studies, funding strategies, project planning and management, financing advice, and environmental research.

Successful projects include: Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park in Woodbridge, the Milltown Ford Ave. Redevelopment Project, Highland Park Safe Moves, the South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Center and the Raritan Center Overpass.

For more information: Contact Denise Nickel, Senior Project Manager at 609-655-5141, 609-655-1690 (fax) or dn@mciauth.com (email). Also, visit the MCIA web site at www.mciauth.com.

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