CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ01) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $200,000 grant to the Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) toward the revitalization of the City’s Mt. Ephraim Choice Neighborhood. The grant will be used to develop a plan to transform the area’s existing blighted homes and buildings into cleaner and safer structures that will attract new businesses and residents.
 
Awarded under the EPA’s Brownfields Area-Wide Planning program, the funding is designed to assist communities with planning for cleanup and reuse of properties where moderate contamination threatens the site’s environmental quality, public health, and potential for economic development. The funds were awarded on a competitive basis to 20 brownfields sites nationwide – projects were selected for their ability to enhance livability, support local and regional planning efforts, and engage community members.  The CRA’s grant will focus on cleanup and revitalization efforts at the Camden Laboratories catalyst site, a 3.6 acre tract in the Choice Neighborhood’s southeastern most portion just blocks from the Ferry Avenue PATCO station.
 
“This federal funding is another step in the right direction for Camden’s turnaround that will help beautify a key area of the city and make it an asset to residents,” said Congressman Norcross. “The grant is specifically designed to engage the community and I know that the people of Camden are determined to build on recent improvements to local safety and quality of life. These resources will help in our shared efforts to realize the City’s full potential.”
 
Along with the CRA, key partners on the project include the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, Cooper's Ferry Partnership, and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority.