Mt. Laurel, NJ, Oct. 29, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $234,000 to Pemberton Township through the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program to improve community facilities to benefit the rural residents.
Browns Mills in Pemberton Township is a rural community located in Burlington County, New Jersey. “We are delighted to assist Pemberton Township. These streetscape improvements will help business development and allow the residents to feel safe when walking through their downtown area,” stated Michael Thulen Jr., State Director for New Jersey Rural Development. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
This USDA investment will support the Browns Mills Town Center Redevelopment Plan, which was prepared by the Pemberton Township Working Committee and the NJ Division of Community Affairs Local Planning Services. The Redevelopment Plan resulted in new strategies to improve economic and community development in Browns Mills.
USDA grant funds will be used to create a major pedestrian thruway for Pemberton Township. The existing sidewalks and handicapped ramps in the project area of Pemberton-Browns Mills Road are no longer conducive to safe and comfortable pedestrian use today. These sidewalks are currently not visible in some areas and more importantly, do not meet ADA requirements for accessibility. The new sidewalk will consist of concrete sidewalks, ADA handicapped ramps, textured crosswalks, landscaping, street furniture, and other related improvements needed to complete the project.
The Streetscaping Project is within Pemberton Township’s main commercial district and a large redevelopment area which will add new commercial, residential, health, cultural and recreational opportunities along the corridor. The Township anticipates that Pemberton-Browns Mills Road will be a major pedestrian thruway to access any new development within the corridor. In addition, the project will increase tourism by providing an attractive streetscape, thus encouraging people who work at, or visit the Joint Base and Deborah Heart and Lung Center to stop and explore Pemberton Township’s main business district, and access new development along the commercial corridor. Positive economic impacts will result as travelers and residents increase their visits and use of the area due to ease of access and a more enjoyable transportation experience.
“We are grateful to the USDA for its continuing support of our efforts to rehabilitate and rebuild our Browns Mills Town Center district. The USDA’s investment into our Town Center district will positively impact our community for decades and complements our efforts to enhance the Town Center district to entice new commercial opportunities. The funding provided will not only enable us to develop more accessible streetscapes, but it will also further our goals of beautifying our downtown,” said Mayor David Patriarca.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants in rural areas include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants a detailed overview of the application process.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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