2 towns receiving block grant funds

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Federal money will flow into Maplewood and South Orange to aid two nonprofits, fund public works projects and create jobs.
Maplewood will get a combined $304,150 to reconstruct Hillcrest Avenue and make road improvements in Hilton area, money that came through two federally-funded grant programs that Essex County administers.
Details on the projects or how many jobs they are expected to create was not available.
To pay down the debt on the South Orange Performing Arts Center, the village will get $174,000. Over the years, the village has been given federal dollars of varying amounts for that purpose.
The money for both towns came through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In all, $10.6 million was shared among 14 Essex County towns and 48 nonprofits, according to the county.
Officials said the money is timely. In a weak economy, federal dollars will create jobs and assist organizations that aid the needy.
As for the nonprofits, the South Orange-based Interfaith Hospitality Network will get $20,000 to pay for administrative support, the county said.

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