Money to help New Jersey institutions and their workers stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic is being delivered this week by the federal government, according to New Jersey’s two U.S. Senators, Bob Menendez and Cory Booker.
This week, they along with other New Jersey congressional representatives, have announced $230 million in funding for New Jersey airports, schools and hospitals.
The separate grants include $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the New Jersey Hospital Association’s (NJHA) Hospital Preparedness Program, which provides funding and technical assistance to help health systems respond to an outbreak or disaster. The association will distribute the funds to healthcare providers to update their emergency preparedness plan, purchase personal protective equipment, and train staff members.
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“New Jersey’s hospitals are on the front line of this crisis and they need the resources to take this outbreak head on,” Menendez said. “This funding will help ensure our state’s healthcare system can treat patients suffering from COVID-19.”
New Jersey’s K-12 schools will benefit from nearly $69 million in funding sent from the U.S. Department of Education to the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. A statement from Menendez’s office indicated that there is considerable flexibility in how this funding can be used and that it includes resources for remote learning.
“While New Jersey has among the best school systems in the nation, this federal funding is vitally important to help our educators and students meet today’s unique challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Menendez said.
Another $160 million in funding will go to support 24 airports in the state, including New Jersey transportation hubs Newark Liberty International, Atlantic City International, and Trenton Mercer.
“New Jersey’s airports serve as critical transportation hubs, but their ability to serve our residents both now and into the future has been threatened by this crisis,” Booker said. “We must ensure our region’s airports have the resources they need to remain an economic driver for New Jersey and continue to serve the traveling public for years to come.”
