District Poised to Receive Nearly $50 Million for School Construction Projects, Thousands More for Home Heating Assistance for Low-Income Families

Assemblymen Herb Conaway, Jr., M.D. and Troy Singleton (both D-Burlington) on Friday announced two major awards in state funding for Burlington County, one to support school construction funding projects and another to help low-income families pay their home heating bills this year.

"This funding is critical to the foundation of our children's future," said Conaway. "These grants will provide a vital life line to help Burlington County districts undertake critical repairs without further burdening local property taxpayers. More importantly, they'll help provide a healthy learning environment for our students to flourish."

"With districts everywhere struggling to stay within the two percent property tax cap, this funding is absolutely crucial to provide the best learning environment possible for our students," said Singleton. "Safe, fully-functioning learning facilities are the first and foremost requirement for a quality education and a brighter future."

Burlington County will receive $46.7 million in state funding to support 67 projects in 20 school districts, for a total of $103 million in school construction throughout the county.

The state-funded grants represent at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects in Regular Operating Districts (RODs) and address health and safety issues, student overcrowding and other critical needs. The grants are contingent on local approval of the remaining cost to school districts.

All of the grants awarded to Burlington County districts were categorized as Level 1, which is the highest priority based on critical building upgrades, roof and window repairs, code issues, ADA upgrades, security systems and hazardous material abatement.

Below are the individual Burlington County school districts receiving funds, their total project cost and the state's share of the cost in parenthesis:

- Beverly City: $2,723,661 ($1,691,925)
- Bordentown Regional: $1,183,731 ($473,492)
- Burlington Township: $4,137,615 ($2,049,038)
- Cinnaminson: $16,286,791 ($6,514,716)
- Delran: $1,987,322 ($948,028)
- Evesham: $2,289,335 ($915,734)
- Lenape Regional: $3,153,358 ($1,261,343)
- Lumberton: $1,308,513 ($523,405)
- Maple Shade: $333,780 ($133,524)
- Medford: $2,668,810 ($1,067,524)
- Moorestown: $29,351,716 ($11,740,686)
- Mount Holly: $20,479,526 ($12,540,208)
- Mount Laurel: $70,966 ($28,386)
- New Hanover: $760,103 ($329,001)
- Shamong: $2,617,400 ($1,046,960)
- Southampton: $673,517 ($269,407)
- Springfield: $5,380,906 ($2,152,362)
- Tabernacle: $944,255 ($377,702)
- Westampton: $160,929 ($64,372)
- Burlington County Vo-Tech: $6,612,266 ($2,644,906)

Additionally, Singleton and Conaway announced that the state has awarded the Burlington County Community Action Program $285,508 from the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance) program, which provides financial assistance for low-income households from Burlington County to meet their home heating and medically-necessary cooling expenses.

"Nobody should ever have to choose between putting food on the table for their family or heating their home," said Singleton. "For years this program has helped ensure that low-income families don't have to face that dilemma."

"The soaring costs of energy are a burden for many families, particularly those struggling to make ends meet," said Conaway. "These funds will go a long way in providing families with a warm, safe environment during the cold winter months."

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information on program eligibility and to apply, interested applicants should click here.

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