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Grant consultant: Ventnor secured about $92 million in the last decade; larger grants still pending
Summary
Grant consultant Jim Martell told the commission Ventnor has secured roughly $92 million in grants over the past 10 years and outlined several pending applications, including a $6 million stormwater project for Ventnor Heights that could move forward following recent FEMA funding releases.
A consultant told the Ventnor City Board of Commissioners on April 23 that the city has obtained about $92 million in grant funding over the past decade and is pursuing multiple pending awards tied to boardwalk work, shoreline resiliency and stormwater improvements.
"The city has received about $92 million in funding over the last 10 years," said Jim Martell of Martell Associates during a slide presentation to commissioners, summarizing prior grants for the boardwalk, lead service line replacements, sewer and water improvements, road and park projects and other capital work.
Martell said the city currently has "a little over $1 million" in applications pending and highlighted several larger requests: a $2 million congressional request tied to the boardwalk, a $750,000 application for historic restoration of a municipal building, a $1.5 million request for Ski Beach improvements, an $880,000 tree‑planting application, and a $6 million stormwater project aimed at Ventnor Heights that Martell said has been identified as FEMA‑eligible. He said recent court rulings and staffing changes at FEMA have allowed that federal program to begin processing applications again.
Martell encouraged officials to continue coordinating with county and federal representatives to advance applications, especially for resilience work tied to the boardwalk and shoreline. He also noted state and regional grant programs (including municipal aid, bikeways and CMAC) with upcoming application deadlines.
Why it matters: Grants have funded major local infrastructure projects and, if approved, pending awards would accelerate reconstruction and resiliency projects that city officials say are priorities for tourism and coastal protection.
Next steps: Staff and the mayor asked commissioners and officials to continue outreach to legislators and agency contacts to support pending applications and to monitor upcoming grant deadlines.
