East Windsor Will Get $2.68 Million In New COVID Relief Plan

EAST WINDSOR, NJ — President Joe Biden on Thursday signed the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, sending much-needed aid to states across the country.

New Jersey will be receiving $10.189 billion to help schools, restaurants, local government and transit agencies.

Known as the American Rescue Plan, the package includes a $1,400 stimulus payment for most U.S. taxpayers, extension of unemployment benefits, assistance to small businesses and more.

Where Will The Money Go:

U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez broke down the 10.2 billion that will be sent to New Jersey.

The final funding formula will target resources to areas that need it the most, and is modeled after Menendez’s SMART Act, co-sponsored by Booker.

New Jersey will receive approximately $6.434 billion , plus another $189 million to expand broadband internet. $1.823 billion will be split among 21 county governments and $1.741 billion will be divided among the 565 cities and municipalities.

“This badly needed federal funding will not just keep the lights on at City Hall, it will also help our communities get more vaccines in people’s arms, keep our first responders, teachers and other essential workers on the job, maintain our infrastructure and critical services, help our small businesses stay afloat, and put us on a smoother path towards economic recovery after the pandemic,” Menendez said in a statement.

“In the midst of the greatest public health and economic crises of our lifetimes, it is unacceptable New Jersey schools, hospitals, small businesses, and workers faced the additional threat of budgetary shortfalls,” said Booker.

Local governments can use the funding to pay for COVID-related expenses, cover loss of revenue due to the pandemic and avoid layoff of essential workers. It can also be used to provide additional assistance to residents.

Mercer County will receive $186,806,392.62 in funding from the state. Of that, 71.26 million will go the county government, and $115,546,392.62 will be distributed to municipalities.

Princeton will receive $6,057,088.59 in funding.

Here’s how much each municipality in Mercer will receive:

Mercer County: $186,806,392.62

County Government: 71.26 million

• East Windsor $2,680,560.60
• Ewing $6,070,873.68
• Hamilton $16,894,038.57
• Hightstown $521,023.65
• Hopewell Borough $187,230.60
• Hopewell Twp. $1,741,165.96
• Lawrence Twp. $3,186,161.79
• Pennington $253,046.18
• Princeton $6,057,088.59
• Robbinsville $1,428,591.06
• Trenton $73,786,424.40
• West Windsor $2,740,187.55

All 10 Democrats from New Jersey voted for the COVID relief plan, while the GOP members Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew voted against it.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman said voting on the American Rescue Plan was one of the “hardest decisions” she had to make.

“I’ve heard from many of my constituents both for and against, I’ve had to weigh the need to send a clear message to the senate on the importance of centering the real needs of average Americans which they have failed to do over the past week with the immediate need of struggling families in my district,” Watson Coleman said in a message posted on twitter.

While far from perfect, she said the bill will “significantly support the needs of our families, states, counties, municipalities and schools.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Murphy called the package a "relief" for residents.

"A great day for New Jersey and our nation as Congress sends the American Rescue Plan to @POTUS's desk," Murphy tweeted. "From vaccination resources to direct checks, this package will deliver real, bold relief for our people and our state. Help is on the way!"

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