Coronavirus Does Not Respect County Borders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 5, 2020

Contact: Shaun C. Van Doren, Freeholder Director

Shaun.vandoren@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Hunterdon Freeholders Call On Fed Officials To Make

Hunterdon County A Priority In Next Stimulus Package

Van Doren: ‘Coronavirus Does Not Respect County Borders’

Hunterdon County’s Freeholders have called on New Jersey’s U.S. Senators and Congressman Tom Malinowski to ensure that the next round of federal economic stimulus aid gives priority to small population counties like Hunterdon, which was cut out of the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, along with six other New Jersey counties, because of having populations under 500,000.

“Congress’ decision to limit stimulus funds to just localities with populations of 500,000 or more, resulting in Hunterdon County, along with six other New Jersey Counties, being shut out of funds designed to bolster local economies, was a poor decision,” Freeholder Board Director Shaun C. Van Doren wrote in a letter to the federal representatives today.

Van Doren’s communication to U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker and Congressman Tom Malinowski stated, “The coronavirus does not respect County borders, as every individual matters and is facing this crisis, wherever they live. Funds should have been directed on a per capita basis, ensuring all areas of the state received a fair share.”

Fourteen New Jersey counties are sharing $31,961,123 in federal stimulus funds for economic development and infrastructure via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, while seven counties received no direct county funding.

Van Doren noted that there continues to be discussions regarding another federal stimulus package.

“If that is the case, it is imperative that the areas with smaller populations, like Hunterdon County, that have been left entirely out of the first round of stimulus funding, be given priority status in the next stimulus bill considered by the Congress,” the Freeholder Board Director wrote.

Van Doren told the federal officials, “My fellow Freeholders and I want you to know that we here in Hunterdon County are not sitting idly by waiting for federal funds. The Freeholder Board last Tuesday took action approving a measure expanding the County’s Economic Development Grant program to include non-profit business associations, in addition to municipalities, in an attempt to help local small businesses.

Additionally, several County road, bridge and construction projects are moving forward that will put people to work, help contracting and ancillary businesses, and spur the local economy. All while our County Health Department, Office of Emergency Management, and many other County personnel are actively engaged in the response desperately required to protect our residents in this public health emergency.

Adding federal stimulus dollars to those efforts is vital to fight the public health and economic battle in front of us all,” Van Doren concluded.