THEME PARK RECEIVES STRONGER NJ BUSINESS GRANT TO AID IN SANDY RECOVERY EFFORTS

$85.3 Million Approved in Grants and Loans for Small Businesses

Trenton, NJ – Demonstrating the Christie Administration’s commitment to the recovery of small businesses in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today announced the award of a $50,000 Stronger NJ Business Grant to Field Station: Dinosaurs in Secaucus to support the park’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy. 

Field Station opened in 2012 and encompasses 20 wooded acres where, upon admission, every visitor becomes a scientist, receives a passport in place of a ticket and begins an expedition exploring more than 30 full-size animatronic dinosaurs. The lifelike prehistoric creatures were built using robotics engineering and the creative imagination of artists.  The impact of Sandy at Field Station included wind damage to several of the dinosaurs.

“Attractions like Field Station: Dinosaurs are so important to the tourism sector of New Jersey’s economy,” said EDA CEO Michele Brown.  “Tourism is going strong in our state post Sandy, and we are delighted to support businesses that add to New Jersey’s appeal for visitors.”

To date, over 770 businesses have been approved for Stronger NJ grants and loans totaling over $85.3 million, and an additional $43.7 million has been approved for community improvement projects through the Stronger NJ Neighborhood and Community Revitalization program.

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno recently visited Field Station: Dinosaurs marking this summer’s sixth “Tourism Tuesday.” The campaign promotes the diversity of New Jersey’s tourism industry during the busy summer season and showcases the state as the premier tourism destination in the Northeast to vacationers of all ages and interests.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
“Lt. Governor Guadagno has been a great champion for tourism in the state and we’re proud that she chose Field Station: Dinosaurs for a visit,” said Field Station: Dinosaurs President and Executive Producer Guy Gsell. “It was a special thrill for the hundreds of New Jersey campers who were here to meet her. The Lt. Governor’s visit was a great addition to the kids’ day of learning and laughing.”

The Stronger NJ Business programs are funded through New Jersey’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocation from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Similar to other Sandy relief grant programs, there are strict federal eligibility requirements to which the EDA and applicants must comply. 

For more information on the Stronger NJ Business programs, visit http://application.njeda.com/strongernjbusiness or call EDA’s Sandy hotline at 1-855-SANDY-BZ (1-855-726-3929).