South Mountain YMCA Receives $5,000 Grant

The money comes from the Westfield-based group the Fred C. Rummel Foundation.

The South Mountain YMCA has received a $5,000 grant from the Fred C. Rummel Foundation to support its YMCA Financial Assistance Fund, the Strong Kids Campaign. “We are pleased to receive such generous support from the Fred C. Rummel Foundation,” Toby H. Feller, South Mountain YMCA Executive Director said in a press statement. “Their support allows us to help those who need it the most and to keep our promise of never turning anyone away due to their inability to pay.” The YMCA Financial Assistance Fund provides direct assistance to over 1,700 children and families in the communities it serves. The Westfield-based Fred C. Rummel Foundation supports nonprofit healthcare, human service and education in New Jersey. The South Mountain YMCA is a…

• Photos (1)

EDC Now Offering Microloans to Small Businesses

The Economic Development Corporation of Essex County is offering loans ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.

While the Economic Development Corporation of Essex County has been offering microloans to local businesses for some time, there's been a renewed emphasis recently on publicizing its mission. "The economy is so difficult right now; we want to make sure businesses know about our resources," said EDC Deputy Director Craig Lombardi, who has been making the rounds at government meetings in Essex County towns recently. Loans for up to $100,000 are available, according to Lombardi, and the EDC is "set up to take a little more risk than a bank would," making it a good resource for 1- and 2-year-old businesses that would have trouble obtaining a bank loan. A time frame for repayment is determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the business's …

New Sustainability Program for Maplewood

The Township is awarded $10,000 to spread the word about sustainable energy option.

On June 22, Maplewood was one of 14 state municipalities to win a $10,000 grant funded by Walmart and awarded through the Sustainable Jersey program. Like other successful proposals, Maplewood’s project is intended to conserve energy and lessen its carbon footprint. The project the Township is undertaking is unique in that it is intended as a model for other municipalities to follow. “If this program could work in Maplewood, it could work all over the state,” Maplewood Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta, who wrote the grant, said. Maplewood is using the money to fund an internship program that will have Township teens disseminate information about how lower income families can take advantage of free energy efficiency services. The plan takes …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

No Plans yet for IDEA School Grant Money

The Special Education funds are appreciated, but how the money will be spent has not been determined.

The ink hasn’t dried on the deal yet, so maybe it’s no surprise that the use of the $1.5 million special education grant isn’t yet determined.  On Friday, April 18, state officials announced the Maplewood and South Orange School District would receive over $1.5 million for special education programs from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The money is part of a statewide IDEA grant totaling $371 million. The use of the funds is guided by strict federal statutes. However, school district officials were not able to share any details about how the money would be spent. Not that they’re upset about it. "We are very pleased that we will receive $1.5 million from the Federal IDEA, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act…