11/15/2008:

Yesterday, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine announced over $78 million dollars worth of transportation grants to over 370 towns in the State. Out of that total, Hudson County will receive about $4.3 million, and Hoboken’s piece of the pie is around $410,000.

You may think, “Is that it?” but compared to most other cities on the list, it’s quite a generous amount!

However, in the press release, Corzine said “it will help keep property taxes in check statewide.” Does he not live in Hoboken? Haha!!

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Corzine Touts grants as “economic stimulus”

“It’s a big part of any overall step out of recession,” Corzine said. “… There is a real need to create demand that would not otherwise be there.”

Corzine said the grants, an annual appropriation from the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, were awarded after application and merit review — without interference by politicians.

“This is really the way government should be allocating funds — no politics,” Corzine said.

Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri said New Jersey has lost 1,200 construction jobs since March. The funding could create 780 jobs, although some projects will be done by municipal workers.

Kolluri estimated the projects could mean more than $140 million to the state’s battered economy, but Corzine hesitated placing a figure on it. He said the value is keeping people working and traffic flowing, which saves gas and time.

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