Watson Coleman, Pascrell, Sires Announce Extension of Hurricane Sandy Funds
Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Bill Pascrell (NJ-9), and Albio Sires (NJ-8) announced the extension of the expiration date for funding to rebuild and ensure resilience in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. $15 million from the National Disaster Resilience Competition, $230 million for a project across Hoboken, Weehawken and Jersey City, and $150 million for a project in the Meadowlands area slated to expire in 2022 will now remain accessible until 2025 under language included in the fiscal year 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.
“This language ensures New Jersey doesn’t miss out on $395 million in funding just because projects weren’t completed in time,” said Rep. Watson Coleman, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The inclusion of this extension in the THUD Appropriations bill is a huge win for our state, and the result of cohesive work in the New Jersey delegation. This is about ensuring we are stronger and more prepared for the next major disaster.”
“Even years after the superstorm, New Jersey families are still coping with the damage and worried about storms on the horizon. We demanded this federal support in the aftermath of Sandy. We pushed for arbitrary deadlines to be removed so these funds can make us more resilient,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Our delegation has never stopped working to make sure that Garden Staters get the support they need to be made whole again and are fully protected from future hurricanes. I want to especially thank our state’s Appropriations leader Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman for her leadership, and Chairwoman Nita Lowey who well understands our state’s unique demands.”
"The language extending CDBG-DR funding is vitally important for New Jersey. Without it, projects that were created after Superstorm Sandy, like the one to protect parts of the 8th District from flooding, could lose the funding needed to be completed,” said Rep. Sires. “I want to thank my good friend Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her dedication to New Jerseyans on the Appropriations Committee and for helping secure this extension."
For more information on the FY 2021 THUD Appropriations bill, click here.