County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:

August 18, 2015

 

Court Jester of Freehold joins

Façade Improvement Program

Business receives $1,850 check

 

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Court Jester has joined the growing list of Monmouth County businesses that have benefitted from the Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program, receiving $1,850 for recent upgrades to the exterior of their building. Court Jester of Freehold co-owner Anthony Ciafardini accepts a $1,850 Monmouth County Façade Improvement Program check from Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone on Aug. 13 in Freehold, NJ.

“Court Jester is receiving a reimbursement check for $1,850 for a new awning on their building at 16 East Main St.,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “Every Façade Improvement Program check helps make a needed improvement to a local business.”

Co-owner Anthony Ciafardini accepted the reimbursement check from Arnone on Thursday, Aug. 13.

The program is part of the successful Grow Monmouth initiative that is utilizing HUD Community Development Block Grant funds to help improve the look of privately held commercial buildings located in HUD eligible areas of Monmouth County. No County funds are being used for the program.

HUD eligible areas include all or part of 24 of the County’s municipalities. Eligible municipalities are: Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Highlands, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Manalapan, Matawan, Neptune City, Neptune Twp., Ocean Twp., Red Bank, Shrewsbury Twp., Union Beach and West Long Branch.

Asbury Park, Long Branch and Middletown businesses are not eligible for this program because those municipalities receive designated HUD Community Development Block Grants directly.

“The Grow Monmouth initiative is an example of Monmouth County’s commitment to helping small businesses succeed,” said Arnone. “Some business owners may think the County’s façade program is too good to be true, but it is not. No matching funds are required and nothing is asked for in return.”

To date, Monmouth County’s Façade Improvement Program has dispersed $72,309 to local businesses.

“More than 40 businesses have already improved their facility exteriors and have been reimbursed for their efforts,” Arnone said. “The buildings look great and the business owners are thrilled.”

For more information about the Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program contact the Division of Economic Development at 732-431-7470 or visit the Grow Monmouth section of the County website at www.visitmonmouth.com.

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