West Orange received more than $450,000 in federal grant money for nonprofit and government sponsored projects, county officials announced earlier this week.

The township was among 16 municipalities and 40 non-profit community organizations that received part of the $5.9 million awarded in the county from the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Shelter Grant program.

Of the $1,615,328 awarded to non-profits, $10,000 was awarded to JCC Metrowest in West Orange for the Maurice Levin Theatre Accessibility Project.

For government sponsored projects, West Orange received $444,750 of the more than $4 million awarded. The grants included the following:

• Bethany Center for Champions ($33,750)
• Main Street Counseling Mental Health Services ($10,000)
• Valley Settlement House - Window Replacement ($12,000)
• Seward Street - Street Improvements ($69,000)
• Edisonia Terrace - Street Improvements ($98,000)
• Downtown West Orange - Streetscape Planters ($20,000)
• Shepard Terrace - Street Improvements ($100,000)
• William Street Improvements ($70,000)
• Cherry Street - Street Improvements ($32,000)

Roughly $275,000 was awarded for emergency shelters around the county.

The Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Shelter Grant program are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.

"Programs supported through the CDBG and ESG programs are direct investments to provide services that enhance our quality of life and help stabilize our neighborhoods by modernizing our infrastructure," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. "These federal grants enable us to upgrade our sidewalks and roads, enhance handicap access, address mental health needs, support food pantries and stimulate economic development in our downtown commercial areas."