After at first being denied federal aid, a historic Monmouth County religious enclave will be getting additional funding to repair its Sandy-battered boardwalk. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association just learned that it will be getting an additional $1.6 million from a federal Sandy relief grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance grant program.

The award was announced Tuesday by New Jersey U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker.

In a written statement Menendez said, "our boardwalks are the lifeblood of the Jersey Shore, drawing millions of visitors each year and driving the local and state economies. Two years after Sandy, much work is still left to do to rebuild and make our state more resilient. This grant award helps keep our state on its path to full recovery from Superstorm Sandy and relieve the burden felt in hard-hit communities like Ocean Grove as New Jersey rebounds better and stronger than before the storm."

Booker added, "so many of New Jersey's iconic shore communities were devastated after Sandy and have not fully recovered. Today's announcement, allowing for the repair of the historic Ocean Grove boardwalk, is yet another milestone on the way to restoring New Jersey Shore."

Soon after the storm, FEMA had denied awarding federal funding to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association because the beach and boardwalk is privately owned. It's appeal for federal funding was also rejected. However, Monmouth County lawmakers and Congressman Chris Smith launched a second appeal that showed its cooperative agreement with the Township of Neptune and how the enclave's beach serves as a resource to the entire community and state.

More Coverage:

Ocean Grove Wins 2nd Appeal for FEMA Funding/ WOBM.com

Ocean Grove Benefits from FEMA's Reversal [AUDIO]/ WOBM.com

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