Montgomery Awarded $50,000 Grant to Support Health-Focused Planning Initiative

Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY — Montgomery Township has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the statewide Plan4HealthNJ program, funding that local officials say will help strengthen the connection between public health and land use planning over the coming year.

According to township officials, the one-year grant will support Montgomery’s efforts to examine how planning decisions can influence community health, including factors such as life expectancy, chronic disease and overall well-being.

Plan4HealthNJ is a program of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association and is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The initiative is designed to advance strategies that link public health and land use planning in communities across New Jersey with the goal of creating healthier and more equitable places to live.

Mayor Neena Singh said the grant will help support Montgomery’s long-term planning efforts.

“Our residents’ health is a top priority for Montgomery and this grant will boost our long-term planning efforts,” Singh said in a statement. “We want to thank the RWJ Foundation for its funding and APA New Jersey for allowing us to pilot this wonderful initiative, so that we can plan for a healthier future.”

Township Health Officer Devangi Patel said the initiative will focus on examining the factors that shape health outcomes in the community and exploring how planning can help improve them.

“We’re taking a close look at what shapes our community’s health—life expectancy, chronic disease, and overall well-being—and asking how better planning can help improve these outcomes,” Patel said.

She added that the township hopes to involve residents, businesses and other community stakeholders as the work moves forward.

“We want to hear from residents, businesses, and other community partners about what’s working and what matters most,” Patel said. “Together, we can identify practical tools and thoughtful approaches that protect our natural environment and create neighborhoods that support healthier living and a higher quality of life.”

Township Administrator and Planner Lori Savron said the project is intended to help ensure that future planning decisions support healthier neighborhoods, improve access to resources and enhance quality of life for residents.

Project Director Angela Knowles also praised Montgomery’s participation in the pilot effort, saying the township is taking a meaningful step toward aligning planning decisions with measurable health outcomes.

Montgomery is one of six municipalities currently participating in the pilot phase of Plan4HealthNJ.

Township officials said Montgomery had already begun working with Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy last fall, including collaboration with Professor Thomas G. Dallessio, the Environmental Lead for Plan4HealthNJ, by sharing statistical data that contributed to the program’s early toolkit development.

Singh also credited graduate students at the Bloustein School for helping position Montgomery strongly as the township begins the grant-funded work.

Additional details about the project timeline and opportunities for community engagement are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Photo Credit: Montgomery Township