The Inlet Community Development Corporation (CDC) again received a $950,000 donation from Ocean Casino Resort, via Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program (NRTC) funds from the State of New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs, during a check presentation at the casino resort in Atlantic City on April 29 with members of the leadership teams from Atlantic Cape Community College, Inlet CDC and Ocean present.
“On behalf of the Inlet Community Development Corporation and Atlantic Cape Community College, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to Ocean Casino Resort for its continued support through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) Program,” said Dr. Natalie Devonish, President, Inlet CDC and Vice President, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Atlantic Cape. “Your generous contribution, for the second year in a row, and your commitment to the revitalization of the Inlet neighborhood is truly making a lasting impact in our community.”
The funds will be used to continue the Inlet CDC’s community revitalization efforts that are currently on-going throughout the City’s Inlet neighborhood. Since the CDC’s launch in mid-2023, numerous substantial achievements and goals have been reached as outlined in the CDC’s 10-Year Strategy Plan:
- Community Enhancements – Completion of new pickleball courts at Altman Park, the “Beneath the Waves” mural at Hot Bagels, and ongoing neighborhood beautification efforts, such as the Historic Gardner’s Basin Hydrangea Trail and planned flagpole installations.
- Economic and Workforce Development – Expansion of homebuyer assistance programs, small business grants, and scholarship programs to support education and career advancement.
- Private Development Growth – Completion of eight Lighthouse Row Townhomes, with seven additionally planned, along with major mixed-use development projects in progress.
- Environmental and Public Space Improvements – Revitalization of McClinton Park Beach, planned skatepark construction and ongoing efforts to update FEMA flood maps to facilitate future development.
“Supporting the Inlet CDC makes perfect sense for Ocean as it directs our tax money and proceeds into funding our local neighborhoods,” said Hugh Turner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Ocean Casino Resort. “This donation of nearly $1 million can help the Inlet and develop businesses throughout the entire community.”
The Inlet CDC is a 501(c)(3) that was established in mid-2023. The Inlet Revitalization Action Strategy includes many community-endorsed initiatives that have been identified as critical for improving outcomes for neighborhood residents and businesses. Public meetings, focus groups, and individual interviews were conducted with Inlet residents and business owners with the goal of developing a strategy that was truly resident driven.
“The collective impact of these efforts underscores the Inlet CDC’s commitment to advancing our NRTC Plan. Through strategic grant utilization, we have not only made significant strides in community development, but also laid a robust foundation for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all Inlet residents,” continued Devonish. “Moving forward, we remain dedicated to building upon these achievements, fostering sustainable growth and ensuring the continued prosperity of our vibrant community.”
The NRTC Program provides businesses with a 100% tax credit for funds that are provided to nonprofit entities tasked with carrying out comprehensive revitalization plans in their respective communities. These nonprofit entities must utilize at least 60% of the funds for housing and economic development projects while the remaining 40% of the funds may be used for support services and other neighborhood revitalization activities.
Atlantic Cape supports the needs of Atlantic City’s residents and students. The college has been an intricate partner in the Atlantic City community and the Inlet Neighborhood, specifically. Atlantic Cape has maintained a strong and involved presence in the city since its inception and reaffirmed its commitment to the community in 1984 with the establishment of the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City Campus. In 2014, a 20,000-square-foot campus expansion created the Caesar’s Entertainment for Hospitality and Gaming Wing. The Worthington Atlantic City Campus provides a wide range of services to support students’ educational goals.
The Inlet CDC was one of four nonprofit entities in Atlantic City, along with the Atlantic City Development Corporation’s (ACDEVCO) Chelsea Neighborhood Plan 2024 project, the Atlantic County Economic Alliance and Ducktown CDC’s Revitalize Ducktown project, and the AtlantiCare Foundation’s Midtown in Motion Revitalization Plan.
Visit acinlet.org for more information and details.
