Explore Millburn Provides over $400K For Ida-Torn Businesses

MILLBURN, NJ — Recovery from Hurricane Ida is still ongoing in Millburn, and Explore Millburn has provided a significant amount of money to businesses that were wrecked by the storm.

Through the Hurricane Ida Business Recovery Fund, Explore Millburn announced on Friday that they have provided over $400,000 in grants to 75 businesses within the Special Improvement District that were impacted by the storm on Sept. 1.

Explore wrote that at this time, the recovery fund is depleted with multiple grants still pending. The organization said that $15,000 in new donations would help the group reach their goal, and they ask people to continue to donate here.

Officials with Explore Millburn reported that over 800 individual donations were received — ranging anywhere from $10 to $10,000.

The Wilf Foundation in Short Hills provided the largest single grant of $10,000.

Fundraising was also hosted by many groups, such as a bracelet sale by a group of fifth grade girls along with efforts by Stephen Breslow's Millburn High School math class, Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, Paper Mill Playhouse, SwimQuest , Paper Ribbon & Wrap, J. Nunez Gallery, The Book House, Footnotes and numerous others, the group said.

The Township Committee also voted in September to contribute a 2-1 match to the funds raised by Explore from the town's reserve fund, which provided an additional $220,000 to the Fund.

Additionally, Millburn Mud Ball — hosted in collaboration with Explore — raised over $50,000 for businesses in the town. Explore wrote that approximately $20,000 of the proceeds were designated to the Fund, while approximately $15,000 will be allocated to businesses outside the Special Improvement District.

You can read more about the Mud Ball and see photos here.

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