Booker’s Annual Road Trip Continues with Stops in South Jersey

NEWARK, NJ - On the second day of his 2024 summer road trip, U.S. Senator Cory Booker made stops in Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic Counties.

Booker began his day in Salem County, where h e toured Larchmont Farms, a 12^th generation family farm that grows peaches, as well as nectarines, plums, cherries, and apples.

"In Washington, I'm fighting every day to advance policies that support family farmers and specialty crop farmers who help power the rural economy of New Jersey," said Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "I am grateful for the opportunity to visit this farm and discuss the challenges they face as specialty crop farmers in our state."

Later, in Cumberland County, Booker was joined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, local officials and key stakeholders to break ground on a Wastewater Treatment Facility in Downe Township, New Jersey. The project will install sewer infrastructure systems serving the roughly 1,600 residents throughout the Township, which is largely made up of the Fortescue and Gandy's Beach communities.

This USDA Rural Development investment will be used to provide additional financing to allow Downe Township to award bid contracts leveraging joint funding with the State of New Jersey to construct a new low-pressure wastewater collection system and package treatment plant. The project will replace individual septic systems in the Fortescue and Gandy's Beach neighborhoods of Downe Township and eliminate existing health and sanitary conditions due to sewage overflows of septic tanks from flooding, as well as eliminating potential contamination of the Delaware Bay.

Booker has a long track record of working to advance this infrastructure project, dating back to 2014 as a new U.S. Senator. To date, this project has received almost $34 million in state and federal grant and loan funding. Most recently the Township was awarded a $4 million Congressionally Discretionary Spending Grant secured by Senator Booker to be used towards phase 2 costs. The project has now held their preconstruction conference and the contractor is ready to start construction.

"Replacing outdated septic systems and addressing the health and sanitary issues caused by flooding will improve the quality of life for the community of Downe Township and protect environmental health all the way down to the Delaware Bay," said Senator Booker. "This project will have long-lasting benefits on clean water and effective waste management for the Fortescue and Gandy's Beach communities. I'm proud to have helped secure federal funding that will protect the well-being of local residents and preserve the natural beauty of our state for future generations."

"Championing this project is about securing the future of homeownership for the residents of Fortescue and Gandys Beach," said Jane Asselta, USDA Rural Development State Director for New Jersey. "These investments improve the quality of life in the Delaware Bay by protecting the shellfish industry and local jobs tied to it, all the while preserving the smalltown, rural way of living in the area."

Booker then traveled to Cape May County, where he toured the Woodbine Municipal Airport. In FY24, Senator Booker secured $6.9 million in congressionally directed spending to be used toward the construction of a 21^st century terminal and hangar at the airport, which is a key component toward its revitalization and development as a drone port.

"I am pleased that the Woodbine Municipal Airport has secured significant federal funding to help modernize and revitalize its infrastructure," said Senator Booker. "This $6.9 million will be pivotal for making improvements that will allow the airport to better serve the Woodbine community while driving economic growth throughout the region."

"It is our distinct pleasure to welcome Senator Booker to Woodbine and provide him with a visit to our municipal airport," said Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky. "We are extremely grateful to the Senator and his staff for helping to give our general aviation airport the opportunity to play a part in the promotion of emerging technologies in the aviation industry. The Senator's recognition of Woodbine's strategic location and his work to provide critical federal funding to position Woodbine to compete in the emerging 21st century aviation technology industry is greatly appreciated by our community."

Booker finished his day in Atlantic County, where he held a press conference to announce a $500,000 CDS award he secured to complete the interior restoration of Lucy the Elephant. Lucy the Elephant is six-story tall National Historic Landmark located along the beach in Margate that was originally built in 1881. This beloved and iconic New Jersey attraction helps drive the local tourism economy.

"I am proud to have played a role in preserving this iconic and nationally recognized historic landmark in South Jersey," said Senator Booker. "Lucy the Elephant is a cherished part of this community, and this funding will ensure Lucy continues to stand tall, attracting tourists and supporting the local economy for years to come."

"With these funds from Senator Booker, we will be able to complete the interior restoration of Lucy the Elephant, our National Historic Landmark and the #1 Roadside Attraction in America. We are so grateful to the Senator and his staff," said Richard D. Helfant, Executive Director and CEO, Lucy the Elephant.

Booker's annual road trip continues tomorrow with stops in Gloucester and Camden counties. For more information, please contact [email protected].

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