Hillsborough Township Saves Tax Dollars by Taking Advantage of Grant Opportunities

Over $1,500,000 in grants awarded to the Township in 2023 - 2024

Hillsborough Township has been actively researching and pursuing grant opportunities to bring programs and improvements to the Municipality at little or no cost to taxpayers.

Over the past twelve months, the Township has successfully applied for and received several grants to foster growth, improve infrastructure, and support local programs. These grants reflect Hillsborough’s commitment to ensuring a vibrant and thriving community for its residents and businesses. Below is a summary of the key grants awarded to Hillsborough in the past year and the impact they are set to have on the community.

NJDOT FY24 Municipal Aid

Auten Road Phase I – Roadway Improvements

Hillsborough Township applied for and received an NJDOT grant for the repaving of Auten Road between Triangle Road and the railroad tracks. This includes the portion in front of Auten Road School. This section of roadway is 4 lanes wide and in need of repaving with an estimated cost of $754,000. The grant will save the Hillsborough taxpayers approximately 60% of the cost. Bids will be going out shortly as plans and specifications were just approved by the NJDOT grant office.

Amount awarded: $438,435.00

DCA Fire District 

Fire communications equipment to offset the cost of replacing outdated two-way radio equipment.

Amount awarded: $250,000

NJDEP Fox Chase  

Funding has been allocated for the RCE Water Resource Program (through Rutgers University) to finalize designs, address permitting, provide construction oversight, and assist with the overall construction of the Fox Chase Pond Green Infrastructure Implementation Project.

Amount awarded: $246,000

Enhancing Local Public Health

The New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials (NJACCHO) with guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) 

the proposed areas of focus would be enhancing engagement through increased digitization and utilization of online documents, updating processes and procedures; supporting health educators' attendance at SOPHE Conference (Society of Public Health Educators), equipment purchases, and other to be specified initiatives.

Amount awarded: $213,665

Clean Communities 

The Clean Communities grant program, administered by the New Jersey  Department of Environmental Protection, funds a variety of activities including volunteer cleanups of public spaces; cleanups of stormwater systems that can disperse trash into waterways; educational outreach campaigns; enforcement of local anti-littering ordinances; graffiti removal; and purchases of trash receptacles, recycling bins and anti-litter signs.

Amount awarded: $126,198.60

NJDOH Strengthening Local Public Health Capacity

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) - Office of Local Public Health's (OLPH) Strengthening Local Public Health Capacity Program 2024 is a non-competitive grant funding opportunity to assist local health departments with outbreak preparedness and outreach coordination.

Amount awarded: $74,664

NJDCA Local Recreation Improvement Grant (FY25)

The NJ Department of Community Affairs offers the Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) annually for up to $100,000 in grants for recreational improvements.Hillsborough applied for a grant to resurface the basketball courts as well as replace the basketball hoops, nets and poles at Ann Van Middlesworth Park.

Amount awarded: $66,000

NJDCA Local Recreation Improvement Grant (FY24)

The NJ Department of Community Affairs offers the Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) annually for up to $100,000 in grants for recreational improvements. Hillsborough applied for a phased project to remove the roller hockey rink at Docherty Park and construct four (4) Pickleball courts. Phase I will cover demolition costs.

Amount awarded: $63,000 

Other grants awarded:

• Somerset County Historic Preservation = $39,000
• DDEF = $28,112.20
• Safe & Secure = $45,150.00
• Recycling Tonnage = $25,748.88
• NJ DEP Stormwater Assistance Grant = $25,000
• Spotted Lantern Fly Reimbursement Program = $15,000
• Lead Grant Assistance Program = $11,000
• Municipal Alliance = $10,754.12
• Mayors Wellness Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute Mayors Wellness Campaign Mental Health Initiative = $7,500
• Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement = $6,746.32
• Somerset County Youth Svcs = $6,000
• Body Armor Replacement = $4,595.24
• T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program for Art in the Park Program = $4,500
• Somerset County Youth Employment Program = $3,000
• FY24 Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID)= $2,500

“We will continue to seek grant opportunities to help defray the costs of improvements, programs, and services, so the burden doesn’t fall on taxpayers,” said Deputy Mayor John Ciccarelli at the August 13th Township Committee meeting. 

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