Newark Office Director Addresses Roundtable on Building a Livable and Economically Resilient Toms River

Diane Johnson addressing the Roundtable on Building a Livable and Economically Resilient Toms River.

Newark Office Director Diane Johnson commended the Toms River community for its resiliency in recovering from Superstorm Sandy.

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013, Newark Office Director Diane Johnson offered opening remarks and Senior Management Analyst Alan Gelfand and Ms. Johnson participated in an interactive breakout session at a "Roundtable on Building a Livable and Economically Resilient Toms River". The Roundtable was sponsored by the NY/NJ Partnership for Sustainable Communities, and was only the third such roundtable conducted in the nation. Ms. Johnson stressed the importance for agencies assisting in local revitalization to gain first-hand knowledge through on-site visits. She commended the Toms River community for its resiliency in recovering from Superstorm Sandy, and noted the Obama Administration's commitment to a 'bottom-up' approach to redevelop distressed areas.

During the interactive breakout session, Mr. Gelfand discussed HUD's economic development tools, and encouraged local stakeholders to tap into Federal Disaster Assistance funds to the greatest extent possible. Participating agencies included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the NJ Office of Planning Advocacy, New Jersey Transit, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Together North Jersey, and the Ocean County Planning Board. Among the local stakeholders participating were the President of the Toms River Council, the Township's Assistant Community Development Director, and the Executive Director of the Toms River Business Development Corporation. These leaders were provided with valuable information to help them move forward with local redevelopment plans.

Toms River Roundtable participants.

Diane Johnson and Toms River officials visiting recovery sites.

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