CAMDEN, NJ – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the Battleship New Jersey has been awarded a $512,339 grant from the Small Business Administrations (SBA) Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, this grant provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19.

“It is an honor for South Jersey to be home to the most decorated battleship in U.S. history, stationed right across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, where our country was founded 244 years ago,” said Congressman Norcross. “This past year has been hard for so many small businesses, and I am pleased that the American Rescue Plan was able to provide funding for the Battleship New Jersey. It will ensure that this historic ship continues to be a destination for veterans, families and historians for generations to come and learn about our nation’s history.”

“Without the various federal assistance programs helping nonprofits like us, the Battleship New Jersey – which lost over 90% of its revenue last year – would be in dire straits. While we’re not completely out of the woods financially, we’re slowly getting back on our feet with great summer weather and the ability to return to live events. The ship is open for business, and we encourage everyone to come out and tour the most decorated Battleship in the 245-year history of the United States Navy,” said Jack Willard, Chief Executive Officer of the Battleship New Jersey. 

“We are grateful to Congressman Norcross and his staff for their steadfast support of the Battleship New Jersey and for fighting for the SVOG program to be included in the American Rescue Plan,” said Marshall Spevak, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Battleship New Jersey. “The $512,000 grant from the federal government helps us keep our staff employed, our veterans volunteering, and our teak deck restoration project going.”

The Battleship New Jersey was constructed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and launched December 7, 1942, one year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She would go on to serve nearly 5 decades, playing critical roles in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, and Operation Desert Storm, before being decommissioned in 1991. The Battleship New Jersey is America’s most decorated battleship and currently serves as a floating museum and memorial along the Camden, New Jersey waterfront. Congressman Norcross served a critical role in the application to the Navy to have the Battleship New Jersey returned home in 1999 and was on-board the Battleship for part of its 5,800-mile journey to its retirement along the Delaware River.

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Contact: Elizabeth Leer
elizabeth.leer@mail.house.gov