Kids & Family

Old Monmouth Candies Receives Facade Improvement Grant

Funding helps repair damage from Superstorm Sandy.

Old Monmouth Candies has made a name for itself as one of the preeminent names in sweet treats since it opened.

Recently the company got a boost from Monmouth County when it was awarded the first Facade Improvement Grant. “We are very proud to stand in front of the freshly painted Old Monmouth Candies Headquarters and hand Hal and Susan Gunther a check for $1,750,” said Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone. “Kudos to Old Monmouth Candies for getting right to work once their application was approved; this is a great program that is helping businesses with exterior improvements.

Old Monmouth, located on Business Route 33 has become known for its peanut butter brittle among other delicious choices will use the money to have an updated sign out in front. “The Facade Improvement Program helped us upgrade our exterior that really took a beating during Superstorm Sandy,” owner Hal Gunther said. “We hired a local painter to do the work and bought the paint at the paint store across the street from our shop. This project really allowed us to keep things local and we are thankful to the County for the quick turnaround.”

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Freeholder Deputy Director said at the event that the county is ready to give similar grants to other businesses up to $1,850 for improvements like new awnings, paintwork, doors or signage. The money is available in part thanks to the use of a HUD Community Development Block Grant. No county funds are used as part of the program. “No matching funds are required from the business,” Director Arnone said. “A total of $75,000 has been set aside for this program, so businesses should apply now.”

Funding is available for privately held commercial buildings in HUD eligible areas. In Monmouth County that includes 26 municipalities. Eligible municipalities include Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Colts Neck (naval station only), Deal, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Highlands, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Manalapan, Matawan, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls (naval station only), Union Beach and West Long Branch.

Find out what's happening in Freeholdwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For more information contact the Division of Economic Development at 732-431-7470 or check out the Grow Monmouth section of the County website.



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