BELMAR, NJ – On Monday, Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone was in Belmar to present reimbursement checks to two Belmar businesses as part of the County’s Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program.

“The Belmar Window Shop and The Saltwater Inn spruced up the exteriors of their respective buildings and received reimbursement checks as part of the County’s Façade Improvement Program,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “The program is a great way for businesses to create an immediate and positive impact on their business.”

Robert Beaudoin, owner of the Belmar Window Shop, received a reimbursement check for $1,850 for exterior painting of the building at 703 Main St.

Joyce and Marty Riccio, owners of The Saltwater Inn at 300 10^th Ave., received a check for $1,819 to cover the cost of a new sign.

The Façade Improvement Program is part of the successful Grow Monmouth initiative that is utilizing HUD Community Development Block Grant funds to help improve the look of privately held commercial buildings located in HUD eligible areas of Monmouth County. No County funds are used for the program.

HUD eligible areas include all or part of 24 of the County’s municipalities. Eligible municipalities are: Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Highlands, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Manalapan, Matawan, Neptune City, Neptune Twp., Ocean Twp., Red Bank, Shrewsbury Twp., Union Beach and West Long Branch. Asbury Park, Long Branch and Middletown businesses are not eligible for this program because those municipalities receive designated HUD Community Development Block Grants directly.

“Every Façade Improvement Program check helps make a needed improvement to a local business,” said Arnone. “To date, the façade program has dispersed more than $85,000 to Monmouth County businesses.”

For more information about the Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program contact the Division of Economic Development at 732-431-7470 or visit the Grow Monmouth section of the County website at www.visitmonmouth.com.

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