Economic Development
Ensuring Accountability and Maximizing Impact
Whether small business loans or funding for the arts, economic development grants are part of the Vander Weele Group oversight repertoire. We proudly contribute to the mission of grants that drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster economic prosperity.
Grants oversight helps ensure that funds are used as intended, that programs achieve their objectives, and ultimately, improve the quality of life for residents. We provide comprehensive grants monitoring services to ensure accountability, maximize impact, and promote the success of your economic development programs.
What We Do
​We provide comprehensive grants oversight services to ensure accountability, maximize impact, and promote the success of your grant programs. Our services include:
​To Learn More, Call Us at 773-929-3030 or Inquire Here
Sample Projects
New Jersey: Department of Environmental Protection
In December 2021 the Vander Weele Group, with subcontractor DeLuca Advisory Services, was engaged by the State of New Jersey to monitor $20.6 million in funds allocated to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to provide relief for the fisheries sector. Our team conducted monitoring and performed a risk assessment to support the monitoring of these funds.
In a 2023 notice to the DEP's Deputy Commissioner, the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (NJOSC), which had conducted its own integrity investigation, praised the Vander Weele Group's report, which “reached substantially similar conclusions” as its own. Collectively, the Vander Weele Group and NJOSC identified the following key findings:
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At least $5.9 million of program payments disbursed to applicants are subject to possible recoupment due to overpayment or ineligibility.
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A thorough review of the NJDEP’s application and administrative processes found that 34 percent of reviewed applicants failed to provide complete documentation to support their awards, subjecting an additional $1.1 million in relief payments to potential recoupment.
In total, more than $7 million (approximately 49 percent) of Marine Fisheries program relief payments were potentially subject to recoupment.
New Jersey:
Redevelopment Authority
The New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA) engaged the Vander Weele Group to monitor $25.5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) that provide eligible businesses and property owners in NJRA-eligible communities grant awards toward monthly lease obligations under the Small Business Lease-Emergency Assistance Grant Program (SBLEAG). We conducted a risk assessment of the SBLEAG Program, monitored a sample of expenditures and applicant files for compliance and eligibility, and provided recommendations for improvement to the NJRA.
