FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Teresa Ruiz

March 3, 2005 973-621-4405

Caryl Lucas

973-621-1590

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND NUTLEY MAYOR COCCHIOLA ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF A FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUNDED THROUGH THE COUNTY’S COMMUNITY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

Nutley, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. was joined by Nutley Mayor Joanne Cocchiola during a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, March 3rd marking the completion of a facade improvement project at a family-operated Nutley beauty supply store. The renovations totaled $43,572, of which a $21,786 grant was provided by the Essex County Community Economic Revitalization Program (CERP).

This federally funded program is made possible through the Community Development Block Grant program for the beautification of downtown business districts. Under federal guidelines, some municipalities are required to create jobs for low- to moderate- income residents based on census data.

Under the County’s CERP, C&M Beauty Supply Store, located at 119-123 Franklin Avenue, received a facelift, including a new stucco exterior and new windows. The business, owned by Claudio Carchia and his sister, Maria Cervino, also created one part-time job for a low- to moderate-income employee as part of the CERP requirement. DiVincenzo said the County’s CERP benefits merchants like the Carchia family, and brings aesthetic improvements to downtown business areas like Nutley’s Franklin Avenue. The busy thoroughfare is currently undergoing a revitalization, thanks in part to the County’s CERP program.

“Through our CDBG program, we are able to provide CERP grants to businesses like C&M for façade improvements and new job opportunities,” DiVincenzo said, adding he hopes more businesses take advantage of the County’s CERP in 2005. “It is a positive program to help revitalize our business districts,” he added.

“The Community Development Block Grant funding has been a vital source of help for business owners throughout our township in beautifying the facades of their properties,” said Cocchiola. She hopes C&M’s new façade will inspire other area business owners to utilize the County’s CERP to improve the signage for their buildings. Over the past three years, Cocchiola said a string of businesses along Franklin Avenue have received new facades through CERP.

“This grant has helped us tremendously,” said Carchia, as he welcomed local and county officials to the new 2,500-square-foot facility, lined with an array of beauty supply products and accessories. “Once we received the funding, we were able to make these improvements,” he added.

Under federal CDBG guidelines, CERP applicants are required to match the County’s grant allotment for each improvement project. Carchia said his dad, Otto, was instrumental in matching the County’s grant. Last year, the County’s Division of Housing and Community Development provided $155,000 to 18 municipalities. Bloomfield, Newark, Irvington and East Orange operate their own programs. CERP funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“This is another example of how Essex County government is supporting economic development throughout Essex County,” said Anibal Ramos, Director of the Essex County Department of Economic Development, Employment and Training. “CERP is one of the successful programs we offer and this beauty supply store is another one of our success stories we completed,” he added.

George Serio, Coordinator of Monitoring and Evaluation for the County’s Division of Housing and Community Development, said CERP not only revitalizes the County’s business districts, but provides businesses with resources to compete and spur economic growth by creating jobs. To obtain more information about CERP, please call 973-395-8450.

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