COVID-19 FUNDING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR WILDWOOD BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS

Please contact: Mayor Pete Byron, Administrator Carl Groon 609-846-2045 For Immediate Release March 16, 2020

Mayor Pete Byron participated in a Zoom meeting hosted by the Cape May County Board of Freeholders, announcing notification from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) that it will be receiving two CV (COVID 19) Grants totaling over $1.5 million. The purpose is to aid the County and its Municipalities in “preparing, preventing and responding to the coronavirus pandemic.” Funds will be administered by NJDCA applying Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Guidelines, including the requirement that at least 70% of the CV 1 and CV2 funding must be used for documented low/moderate benefit.

At its meeting on October 13, the Freeholder Board rolled out its COVID-19 response plan to prepare, prevent and respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic utilizing CDBG CV 1 & CV 2 funding. This includes grants and forgiveness loans for businesses, rental/mortgage assistance programs, and assistance to non-profit organizations who have sustained “economic injury” and been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Cape May County has been charged with responsibility of applying for the CDBG CV 1 and CV2 funding on behalf of eligible Municipalities. CV-1 Funds in the amount of $397,191 are to be available to Wildwood and ten other Municipalities for the above noted activities.

CV-2 Funds in the amount of $1,140,271 are to be used for the entire County, under the same program parameters and CDBG eligibility as the CV-1 funds.

While the funds have been allocated to the County, no funding will be available until the DCA receives and approves the County’s proposed use of this CV 1 & CV 2 funding. At such time that the County receives approval from DCA, information will be published on the County website at capemaycountynj.gov. This will include detailed information regarding the grants and forgiveness loan programs, application procedures and persons to contact to answer questions and assist with processing applications.

Mayor Byron wanted to make businesses, residents and non-profits aware that assistance will be forthcoming and to be prepared to respond promptly since this limited funding will be available on a first come, first serve basis. As additional information is available from the County, Mayor Byron pledged to publish notices on the City’s website at www.wildwoodnj.org.