1.5M State Funding Will Go Towards 3 Township Projects: Edison Mayor

EDISON, NJ — Edison mayor Sam Joshi on Monday announced that the township received $1.5 million in funding from the 2023 state budget, which will go towards three projects.

Among the projects is expanding the landmark Thomas Edison Memorial Tower and Museum in the township.

At a press conference held Monday morning, Joshi said $1 million will go towards the new recreation center near the Edison Jet’s turf field, $250,000 will go towards expanding the Edison Memorial Tower and Museum, and the remaining to expand the Middlesex County Jewish Community Center.

NJ-18 legislators Sen. Patrick Diegnan Jr., and Assemblymen Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley were also present at the press meet.

Calling the museum a part of Edison’s “history as a town and in the state of New Jersey,” Joshi said his administration plans to expand the museum area to provide more space for patrons.

“This additional space will allow more customers or residents to patronize our museum and provide a greater learning experience for all of those who visit. The fact that we are receiving funding to help build upon an educational treasure here in town is truly amazing."

The museum is a favorite stopping point for school trips and educational tours, but Joshi and state officials agreed the two-room center needed an upgrade to better honor inventor Thomas Edison.

Diegnan said residents of New Jersey don’t celebrate the state’s history the way they should. So plans to expand the museum was part of celebrating the state's rich history.

A large chunk of the funds will go towards building the new sports facility. Last month, Joshi announced that the township would build a $5 million multi-purpose youth sports facility. This facility will serve as a home for Edison's youth leagues to train and practice. More: Edison To Build $5 Million Recreational Facility For Youth Leagues

"The state-of-the-art facility will make Edison the epicenter of youth sports in New Jersey," the Mayor said. The facility will include space for cheerleading, wrestling, basketball and more. It will include an upgraded concession stand and will have an outdoor viewing deck overlooking the football field.

“When I spoke with the various sports organizations in our town, I heard time and again that there was a dire need for better facilities that could allow our young athletes to train year-round and be more competitive,” Joshi said. “I knew that we needed to make something happen.”

Teenager Allison Dima spoke to the crowd and praised the administration’s upcoming plans. “Throughout my career in the Edison recreation league, the places we had to practice were not great,” Dima said. “The fields were uneven and we often rolled our ankles. When it got cold, we had to move around to different elementary schools, and go wherever there was space. Now we’ll have our own safe environment to practice in.”

The expansion of the Middlesex County JCC will include 2 stories, 21,000-square-foot space that will provide programs and services to adults and seniors, as well as early childhood and special needs programs.

Joshi said the three projects were as diverse as the Township itself and "offer a little bit for everyone." He thanked the legislators of NJ-18 for helping the township gain the "unprecedented amount of money.”

“They are Edison's voice in Trenton and thanks to their efforts, our voices have been heard,” Joshi said.

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