New Jersey’s FY 2000 budget includes $3 million

New Jersey’s FY 2000 budget includes $3 million for “Smart Growth Planning Grants” to assist counties and other government agencies in developing plans that “lead to reasonable managed growth strategies that will be translated into ordinances.” The grants are not subject to any rigid funding cycles but will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, says Carlos Rodrigues, a manager of special projects with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Proposals must include an authorization from a governing body, demonstrating a political will to undertake the project if money is awarded. Rodrigues emphasizes that this is the first time since the 1970s that money have been available to assist planning. While the state does not explicitly commit to assist municipalities in implementing proposed plans, Rodrigues says there is “an implicit link to the later approval process. If we find the plans to be reasonable, it is likely to lead the state to help fund implementation or help expedite permitting.”