IMPORTANT SANDY RECOVERY INFORMATION

Businesses Can Now Apply for Sandy Recovery Grants of up to $50,000. Beginning on Wednesday May 1st, businesses can apply for Superstorm Sandy recovery grants of up to $50,000 at the website of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Small businesses and nonprofits struck by the storm are eligible for the grants that can be used toward working capital or new construction.

Grant Program Overview: 

• Small businesses and non-profits may apply for grants and forgivable loans of up to $50,000. Businesses with multiple locations in New Jersey may receive more than one grant, totaling no more than $250,000. 
• The entity must be considered a "small business" as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and have more than $25,000 but less than $5 million in gross operating revenues. 
• Applicants must show each location sustained at least $5,000 in damages. 
• Grants are eligible for working capital (operating expenses), inventory, equipment, machinery, fixtures, furnishings and construction. 
• Priority will be given to applicants located in the nine most impacted counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union. 
• Grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The $260 million Stronger New Jersey Business Grant Program is one of the initiatives approved by the NJEDA. It also approved $25 million to fund a tourism marketing campaign to assist Superstorm Sandy-impacted communities and promote the state's tourism assets; and $12 million for securing a firm to operate the grant program under the supervision of the Office of Recovery.

The grant program is part of the state's $1.8 billion plan to spend federal Community Development Block Grant disaster assistance funds. The plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the EDA approved the first initiatives of that program.

Submitted by: Michael G. Soriano, AIA Ref: NJEDA

Work on the Boards - Robertet Fragrances

Cornerstone Architectural Group has just completed the design work for Robertet Fragrances' new US Headquarters in Mount Olive, New Jersey. Work in the 117,000 square foot building includes the complete renovation of nearly 50,000 square feet of office and laboratory space, as well as upgrades to the warehouse and production areas. Robertet will consolidate two existing New Jersey locations into this recently acquired property in Mount Olive's International Trade Zone.

Robertet and Cornerstone's business partnership spans more than 20 years and includes over 20 completed projects in eight different locations. The Robertet Group, headquartered in Grasse France, has three businesses: natural raw materials, perfume compositions and food flavorings. Robertet serves customers in 50 countries from its global network of production, R&D and design centers, spanning more than 11 countries.

Patrick J. Fucci, Associate AIA is the Project Manager and Robert M. Longo, AIA is the Partner in charge of the project. 

Rendering of Robertet Fragrances' Main Lobby Submitted by: Robert M. Longo, AIA  Ref: RF&F

The Garden State’s Most Iconic Architects

In honor of National Architecture Week 2013 (April 7-13) a week-long celebration of architects and architecture, the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects created a list of 10 of New Jersey’s most iconic architects. The list includes architects representing a range of architecture styles & philosophies; contemporary & historic figures; men & women; North & South. In some way they all are connected to the Garden State, whether they were born or practiced in New Jersey.

We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us - Winston Churchill

Michael Graves, FAIA

Richard Meier, FAIA

Eleanore Pettersen, FAIA

J. Robert Hillier, FAIA

Malcolm Holzman, FAIA

Malcolm Wells, FAIA

Peter Eisenman, FAIA

William H Short, FAIA

David Childs, FAIA

Fred Wesley Wentworth, FAIA

Submitted by: Michael G. Soriano, AIA Ref: AIA/NJ

Hugs from Home

A “Hug from Home” is a gift tube personalized to say “Thank You” to our military who are overseas, and to let them know they are loved and supported during their deployment. The compact care packages contain everything from the necessary; toothbrushes, bug spray and deodorant, to the fun; magazines, cigars and puzzles. Cornerstone is proud to have participated for the past 3 years with Morristown, NJ based Office Furniture Partnership. OFP has organized this special program in support of service men and women serving abroad for more than 5 consecutive years have distributed more than 12,000 “Hugs”! In many cases, soldiers rely on friends and family to send care packages, but sometimes it's the gifts from strangers, organizations and communities that have the biggest impact on morale. Other companies, families and individuals interested in participating in the next “Hugs from Home” can contact Bob Rigby at bobr@officefurniturepartnership.com  or call him at (973) 867-3403. Thank you for the support of this campaign and our troops!

Submitted by: Michael G. Soriano, AIA Ref: OFP

What It Means To Be An Architect

The AIA Manifesto. It's more than three letters after your name...

Submitted by: Robert F. Barranger, AIA Ref: AIA