Members of the township committee display the check for a $50,000 state recreation grant. Assembly members Heather Simmons (middle) and Dave Bailey Jr. (second from right) where joined by state Sen. John Burzichelli (right).
Mantua has received a recreation grant of $50,000 from the state to help fund youth sports.
State Sen. John Burzichelli and assembly members Heather Simmons and Dave Bailey Jr. presented a check to the township committee on Sept. 8 at Chestnut Branch Park.
“This money will be utilized for recreational or youth sports-related needs within our municipality and will ultimately save local tax dollars,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman. “We do not yet have the funding in hand and have yet to discuss how it will actually be utilized.”
“We’re proud to deliver $50,000 for Township of Mantua Parks and Rec,” Simmons noted. “Youth sports and recreation bring people together, teach teamwork and strengthen our communities.”
The grant came to be after a discussion between Zimmerman and Burzichelli. The senator was able to procure funds for the township after it had lost $130,000 in state and federal grants, according to the mayor.
“This grant came to fruition after Sen. John Burzichelli and I had a conversation over the summer relative to Mantua needing state assistance to help offset our costs in various areas, as things have become unsustainable with regard to our local budget,” Zimmerman explained. “Hopefully, this is the beginning of better things to come.
“We are truly grateful for this $50k grant, as every bit helps.”
The legislators said they hope the grant will help some township kids.
“This funding is just one more way we’re investing in our kids and our neighborhoods,” said Simmons, “and we’re not stopping here. We’ll keep working to bring resources home for every town in our (legislative) district.”
