Battered Shore Town Denied Federal Funding to Rebuild Boardwalk


Ocean Grove, a South Jersey community whose boardwalk was ripped to shreds by Hurricane Sandy, was denied relief aid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Here’s why: Its oceanfront is owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a nonprofit owned by the United Methodist Church. Private groups like those can’t receive FEMA funding, so tough luck, pardner. Ocean Grove lost its pier, a fishing club that stood on it, and much of its boardwalk. Total damage is estimated around $3.5 million. [NJ Spotlight]