City of Trenton to Receive $73.8 Million in Direct Federal Aid

Gusciora Administration Forming Advisory Committee to Evaluate Project Proposals

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora announced today that following the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the City of Trenton will assemble a committee of city officials, policy experts, and community leaders to evaluate upcoming projects that will take advantage of $73.8 million in federal aid coming to Trenton over the next year.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve taken advantage of every funding source we could to provide free testing for Trenton residents, offer emergency loans to support local businesses, hire critical first responders, and launch new online platforms to ensure remote access to essential services,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Imagine what we can do with nearly $74 million in funds dedicated to helping communities like ours get back on our feet. We’re grateful for the Biden Administration and our congressional delegation in securing these funds for the Capital City. We want to make sure every penny brings the maximum possible benefit to our residents, and this added expertise will help us get started as soon as we receive the funds and more guidance from the U.S. Treasury.”

The Trenton American Rescue Plan Advisory Committee will include the following:

• Chair: Brenda Ross-Dulan, President and CEO, Ross-Dulan Group
• Brandon McKoy, President of N.J. Policy Perspective
• Marge Caldwell-Wilson, City Council Vice President
• Elvin Montero, Director of Communications, Chemistry Council of New Jersey
• Jeannine LaRue, Senior Vice President of the Kaufman Zita Group
• Kelly Ingram, I Am Trenton
• Adam E. Cruz, Business Administrator
• Dr. Adela M. Ames-Lopez, Director of Health and Human Services
• Maria Richardson, Director of Recreation, Natural Resources, and Culture
• Wahab A. Onitiri, Director of Public Works
• Andre McNair, owner of Octobers Vintage in Trenton
• Shereyl Snider, UrbanPromise Trenton

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan contains $360 billion in state and local aid to help employ essential workers, assist struggling families and small businesses, and make critical infrastructure investments. U.S. Treasury guidance outlining specific allowable expenditures is still pending.

The State of New Jersey will receive approximately $6.4 billion plus another $189 million to expand broadband internet across the state. Each of the 21 county governments will split $1.8 billion, with another $1.7 billion divided among all 565 cities and municipalities.

Trenton is due to receive $73.8 million of that aid, with the first half arriving within 60 days of the bill being signed into law. The other half will arrive within the next 12 months.