Gottheimer hosts 2024 grant ‘Claw Back’ Summit for Fifth District mayors

PARAMUS, NJ (Bergen County) — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Thursday hosted his 2024 Grant “Claw Back” Summit for Fifth District mayors and borough administrators to help municipalities and local officials claw more federal investment back to their communities, first responders, local organizations, and residents.

New Jersey’s Fifth District is up more than 357% in grants, resources, and federal dollars clawed back from Washington since Congressman Gottheimer entered office in 2017. In 2021 alone, the federal tax dollars clawed back amount to an average savings of more than $750 for each household in the Fifth District.

“The more federal tax dollars we claw back to Jersey, the less our towns have to charge in local taxes. And, as you know well, our taxes are far too high. Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, including a median tax bill of more than $15,000 here in Bergen County,” said Gottheimer. “I’m all about lowering taxes and making life more affordable because it means more jobs and more people staying in Jersey.”

Local officials and first responders interested in applying for federal grants can learn more on Gottheimer’s website and are encouraged to contact Gottheimer’s Fair Lawn office at 201-389-1100.

Gottheimer’s Federal Grant Claw Back resources and support can be found here.

Grant Opportunities Highlighted During the Summit

• LESO 1033 Program, which helps local law enforcement acquire vehicles, aircraft, and other surplus equipment from the federal government.
• General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program, which allows surplus federal property, including vehicles, scientific equipment, and heavy machinery to be donated to state, county, and local organizations.
• Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), which equip and train firefighters to better respond to emergencies. 
• Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), which ensures that fire departments can hire and retain a 24-hour firefighting force.
• The Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS), which supports police departments in hiring officers and training them in community policing strategies.
• FEMA Non-Profit Security Grant program (NSGP), which funds security enhancements and preparedness activities for nonprofit organizations.
• American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants (ARPFFG), which helps local fire departments cover the cost of protective clothing and critical equipment.
• Community Project Funding (CPF), which allows Members of Congress to identify and fund high-impact local projects in areas like infrastructure and law enforcement.

Notable Federal Investments Clawed Back for New Jersey’s Fifth District Include:

• $4.7 million in Community Project Funding for four flood-resistant infrastructure projects in Englewood, Emerson, Leonia, and Tenafly. These grants will help build new sewer systems and expand drainage to mitigate storm damage.
• More than $5 million in Community Project Funding for an additional nine projects, funding new emergency services communications and safety equipment for our first responders, sewage system improvements, and other new infrastructure in Paramus, Bergenfield, Woodcliff Lake, Dumont, Fort Lee, Ridgefield Park, Upper Saddle River, New Milford, and Bergen County as a whole. 
• Nearly $1.8 million in various federal investments clawed back for five pedestrian safety projects, as part of the Congressman’s newly-announced Pedestrian Safety Strategy. These investments in Ridgewood, Englewood, Closter, Hackensack, and Midland Park will fund safe pedestrian paths to schools, the construction of a new bridge, and updated railroad crossings.
• More than $2.3 million in American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants that will benefit 42 towns across the Fifth District. These grants will go to new protective uniforms, oxygen tanks, and cleaning equipment – which will make our firefighters safer and more effective.

Gottheimer hosted representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), General Services Administration (GSA), New Jersey State Police Surplus (NJSP Surplus), and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP). Local leaders from over 20 municipalities attended this year’s summit to learn more about the federal grant opportunities available to their towns.