Funding for $41 Million in School Renovation Projects!

Mount Holly, NJ, 5 February 2009 – In this time of global economic turmoil, RYEBREAD Architects was pleased to learn last week that the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDoE) has given preliminary approval to $41.5 million in renovation projects for four of their Clients in Burlington & Camden Counties. Based upon grant applications RYEBREAD submitted in November to the NJDoE, the State of New Jersey has committed $24.2 million in grants to financially support these projects.

“This is money that will not only improve our schools,” says Mount Holly Superintendent David Gentile. “But it will also create jobs, and customers for our local restaurants and stores.” Gentile contends that this funding will go a long way in furthering Mount Holly’s ongoing revitalization, as well as reduce District operating costs.

RYEBREAD also submitted successful applications for renovation projects in the Edgewater Park, New Hanover, and Oaklyn School Districts. Since these Districts already have secured their local contribution, architectural documentation can begin upon receipt of the final eligible cost determination, due from the NJDoE in mid-February.

Oaklyn Superintendent Tommie Stringer adds, “The projects we will be undertaking are ones that will result in much needed safety and security updates to the building for our students, staff and community. We are genuinely excited about the grant award and cannot thank RYEBREAD, especially Scott England, enough for their diligence in helping us secure the funds to ensure the upgrades and, at the same time, offset the cost for our taxpayers.”

In Mount Holly, however, the local portion of the project will need to be presented to the voters as special questions in April’s School Board Elections. Gentile explains that “by leveraging these grants, Mount Holly taxpayers will have to finance only 40% of the cost of the renovations. This means the State is willing to invest up to $20 million in our town!”

The name “RYEBREAD” is an acronym for Regan Young England Butera; Referendums, Engineering, Architecture, Design. Their specialty is providing professional services for renovations and expansions to building envelopes, systems, and interiors for public- and private-sector entities around Burlington County, and beyond.

RYEBREAD serves as Architect-of-Record for the Eastampton, Edgewater Park, Hainesport, Harrison, Medford, Mount Holly, New Hanover, Oaklyn, Pemberton, Tabernacle, and Southampton School Districts. Several of these Districts are now awaiting word on their own grants from the second allocation of NJDoE funding, due to be announced this summer.