Bloomfield Center Alliance Nets $150K ‘Transformation Grant’

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Bloomfield Center Alliance. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

In the summer of 2025, the Bloomfield Center Alliance (BCA) received word that it was awarded a $150,000 Transformation Grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) Main Street New Jersey Office. The MSNJ Program is dedicated to helping municipalities improve the economy, appearance, and image of their central business districts. This significant funding, the largest grant award the organization has ever received, will help accelerate key initiatives aimed at enhancing the economic vitality, aesthetic appeal, and overall experience of Bloomfield Center.

Among the things the funding helped the organization pursue are 1) new holiday lighting that was installed during the past holiday season, 2) purchase a supply of plastic trash can liners that could be deployed to replace those in place that are damaged or cracked, and 3) plan and initiate enhancements to the BCA website.

The majority of the funding is designated to help the organization complete three major planning studies are critical to the future growth and success of the Bloomfield Center business improvement district. They are:

• Arts and Culture Concept Plan – a strategy that can identify ways the BCA and partner stakeholders can promote the arts and cultural activities with the goal of increasing visitors and supporting local businesses;
• Downtown Parking Study – a study focused strictly on the business improvement district that will provide a more complete understanding of the real challenges and opportunities facing visitors and employers within Bloomfield Center and suggest potential strategies that can be employed to address the issue; and
• Downtown Rebranding Initiative – Given the significant changes that have taken place over the last ten years, this study will answer the question regarding the downtown’s current identify and recommend changes on the area’s new “brand” and how the BCA can best market itself to ensure effective communications and appropriate programming.

After an exhaustive Request for Proposals process coordinated during the fall, the board approved three consulting firms to facilitate each of these three studies – Progressive Urban Management Associates (Arts and Culture Concept Plan), THA Associates (Downtown Parking Plan), and Bright Brothers (Downton Rebranding Initiative).

BCA Executive Director Ollyn J. Lettman, MPA expressed gratitude for the award stating: “This substantial grant award represents a powerful investment in the future of Bloomfield Center. It enables our organization to execute key projects that will ultimately strengthen our local economy and make our downtown an even more vibrant and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike. We look forward to sharing the ideas and recommendations that come out of these studies with the township and other critical partners. The overarching goal of course is to help Bloomfield Center move forward in the coming years towards achieving its full potential.”

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