$500,000 Grant Welcome News For Count Basie Center In Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — The arts community was one of the most severely impacted by the COVID pandemic, Jonathan E. Vena, chief marketing officer for the Count Basie Center for the Arts, observed.

So the news of a $500,000 grant in federal pandemic relief funds, awarded by Monmouth County, "was a lifesaver for us," Vena said. "We are so grateful to the county," he added.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program, administered by Monmouth County, is helping nonprofits around the county.

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners has announced that 93 nonprofit organizations are being awarded grants in the total amount of $24,285,519.49 through the program. A resolution listing all the recipients of the funds can be found here.

Organizations applied for the funds and many are now hearing that they are receiving much-needed support, up to a maximum of $500,000, the county noted.

One of those is the Count Basie Center for the Arts, the iconic Red Bank venue on Monmouth Street.

And Vena knows just where the money will go - a new HVAC system with future health and safety in mind, he said. "We will use this for preventative measures," he said, mindful of the impact the pandemic had on all arts facilities.

"The last two years rocked us," he said. And they underscored the need for a safe environment for patrons, employees and artists at the arts center.

Vena said the organization has studied state-of-the-art air filtration systems, for example, that will ensure good quality circulation. And the timing is spot on.

He said that in 2026 the Basie theater will be 100 years old. "Upgrades aren't only necessary but crucial," he said.