BRADLEY BEACH, NJ – Today, Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone presented the owner of Ann Bags Boutique with a reimbursement check as part of the County’s ongoing Grow Monmouth Façade Improvement Program.

“Ann Bags Boutique now has a beautiful new blue awning attached to its façade,” said Freeholder Arnone, liaison to the County Division of Economic Development. “The program is a great way for businesses to create an immediate and positive impact on their business. The Buttered Biscuit and the Connolly Agency are neighbors of this store and have already participated in the program.”

Ann Marie Manna, owner of Ann Bags Boutique, received a reimbursement check of $1,850 for the awning on the building at 704 A Main Street. The shop is a women's boutique that sells handbags, women's casual wear, beach wear and ladies' footwear.

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 Freeholder Arnone. “To date, the façade program has dispersed more than $129,098 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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