It was reported that the Middlesex County government will invest $100,000 in facade improvements in Perth Amboy for 2026. The Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation can access up to $50,000 of the funds every 6 months for the improvements. In the past, facade improvements have included the ability to do murals on businesses. Major investments have been made by Perth Amboy in planning and public input for the revitalization of the downtown, having made both the Gateway Plan and the Creative Placemaking focusing on murals. If Perth Amboy were to use the funds on murals in the Gateway, it could help to stimulate business in the area like so many downtowns and communities have done successfully such as Metuchen, Jersey City and Asbury Park.

The Perth Amboy Business Improvement Corporation recently increased it budget to close to $1.5 million, with beautification projects as a leading investment. It will be interesting to see what is the plan for the downtown revitalization.

Businesses in Perth Amboy have been interested in murals as a way to create excitement and attract attention for their businesses. Torres Cafe and Blue Habanero both created beautiful murals for their businesses. Another downtown business on Goodwin St had begun to create a cool Catrina image but was stopped because a mural permit was not obtained. So as to expedite mural creation, revisions to the mural ordinance might be in order to help businesses get things done. Perhaps an Arts Coordinator should be hired or the city should work with the Arts Council or Arts Nonprofits that do murals to help get this revitalization under way.

America 250 is happening this year, and the arts nonprofit Perth Amboy Artworks was awarded funding to do two murals that celebrate Perth Amboy history. The plan is to create the murals downtown to bring the foot traffic and vibrancy that murals add.