NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), U.S. Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ), and USDA Rural Development State Director Jane Asselta announced $13.6 million in grant and loan awards for the township of Edgewater Park for the construction of a public safety building and a community center.

“I'm thrilled to see Edgewater Park receive these vital federal investments for its public safety building and community center,” said Senator Booker. “This mix of grant and loans will address the growing needs of the community by providing space to support public safety, civic administration, and community events. This funding is testament to the dedication of local leaders and Rep. Kim’s and the USDA’s commitment to serving all our communities."

“I am proud to officially break ground in Edgewater Park. This project will go a long way to support law enforcement’s work keeping people safe and make regular, municipal services more accessible to the community in one, easy-to-access location with a new community center right next door,” said Representative Kim. “I am glad to have been able to connect federal funds to local needs in Edgewater Park. I look forward to seeing the new facility’s doors open and help ease some everyday burdens for neighbors, local municipal employees, and law enforcement.”

“The needs of rural New Jersey communities are our priority, and these Edgewater Park projects demonstrate our ability to assist towns buy, build or repair facilities that are an essential part of the social fabric of any community,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Asselta. “Expanding access to essential civic resources drives economic growth, strengthens community ties, and showcases our continued collaboration with local and state representatives – the result is for small towns to thrive.”

The projects – financed by the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program, which is designed to provide affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas – will serve more than 8,000 Edgewater Park residents.

Public Safety Building

USDA Rural Development funded the Public Safety Building through a $4,400,000 grant and $6,140,000 loan to fulfill the township's growing demands to accommodate Edgewater’s public safety and civic administration needs. The civic administration section of the building will feature a covered arcade main entrance opening into a welcoming lobby where patrons can traverse to several areas: court reception, law enforcement, complaint intake, a dedicated court room, and a large seminar training room. The building will also house the law enforcement department, a judge's chamber, and a separate emergency management services suite.

Community Center

USDA Rural Development funded the community center, through a $3,098,000 loan, that will contain a commercial kitchen to host cooking classes and house the community's nutritional program. The center will also contain two restrooms with American with Disabilities Act compliant shower rooms for residents and features a large community room designed to hold 100 persons for community events.