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The Department of Community Affairs announced the Aug. 12 awarding of $1.5 million in grants to support New Jersey main streets.

DCA awarded the Main Street New Jersey Transformation Grants to Main Street New Jersey district organizations across the state. The program aims to improve the appearance, quality of life and local commerce within MSNJ districts.

The latest grantees include:

• Fair Lawn Economic Development Corp. $30,000
• Main Street Mount Holly $30,000
• Holly City Development Corp. $60,000
• Bloomfield Center Alliance Inc. $150,000
• Explore Millburn-Short Hills $150,000
• South Orange Village Center Alliance $30,000
• Springfield Avenue Partnership $18,500
• Main Street Woodbury Inc. $150,000
• Experience Princeton $150,000
• Metuchen Downtown Alliance $30,000
• Boonton Main Street $30,000
• Downtown Denville BID $67,339
• Toms River Business Development Corp. $4,161
• Downtown Somerville Alliance $150,000
• Plainfield Central Business District Management Corp. $150,000
• Summit Downtown Inc. $150,000
• Downtown Westfield Corp. $150,000

This marks the seventh year MSNJ districts have received funding from DCA, with the program awarding nearly $7 million in grants to these local organizations.

The program allows for seven types of projects, which must occur within the boundaries of the designated MSNJ district:

1. Storefront and Façade Improvement Projects
2. Streetscaping Projects
3. Courtyard and Alleyway Improvement Projects
4. Public Art Projects
5. Placemaking Projects
6. Operational Assistance
7. Marketing Assistance

“Quality of life is at the heart of these Transformation Grants because they will help communities with improvements to pedestrian plazas, storefront facades, public facilities, and community development planning,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn Suarez.

“People appreciate downtowns that are walkable, unique, and filled with successful retail shops and small businesses,” said Gina Fischetti, coordinator of Main Street New Jersey, which is administered by DCA. “This grant funding is a recognition that thriving main streets are important to communities. We’re happy to be in a position to help strengthen downtown vitality in towns across the state.”

Suarez added, “All these efforts contribute to strong, vibrant neighborhoods and downtowns where people want to work, visit, and put down roots.”