Larson Announces Approval of Funding for First Round of “Innovation Places” Grants

Grants will be used by communities like East Hartford to plan and create concentrated areas of talent for entrepreneurs and innovators

A critical step was taken in jump-starting Connecticut’s innovation economy at the recent meeting of the State Bond Commission. Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) has announced that $500,000 was approved to support the first round of planning grants from the CTNext Fund, a program championed by Larson and his Democratic colleagues.

“We have seen the success of our state’s investments in East Hartford, as “Aerospace Alley” continues to ramp up production and jobs in high-tech industries, like those at UTC and Pratt & Whitney. Now we are working to capitalize on these existing assets, by encouraging growth of innovative businesses and startups around the economic anchors we already have,” said Sen. Larson. “‘Innovation Places’ will continue to draw the best and brightest minds to Connecticut, which will translate to more jobs, increased economic development and continued revitalization of our towns.”

A critical aspect of the innovation economy law passed this year is the creation of “Innovation Places.” The Innovation Places will be concentrated areas where entrepreneurs and innovators have easy access to tech talent, support organizations and research institutions. These dense areas are intended to be highly walkable, transit-connected, and mixed-use in zoning to facilitate interactions among entrepreneurs and innovators across different organizations, and to be conducive to the creation of startup companies. This environment is intended to be attractive not only for entrepreneurs to work in, but also to live in and for recreation, to help the community retain the most in-demand workers.

This $500,000 allocation will be divided and distributed as grants for use in the development of a strategic planning process to identify local conditions and build a master plan that identifies the resources and assets in each community (like a hospital, a university, a research firm, or a manufacturer) to create exciting new business opportunities. The program was designed to be publicly supported and privately led, with communities leveraging public funding to generate a larger amount of private investment and business growth.

Larson Presents Two South Windsor Veterans with Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal

South Windsor, CT—State Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) recently presented two South Windsor veterans with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal during a ceremony held at the South Windsor Community Center.

Sen. Larson presented the medals to U.S. Navy veteran John Piechowski, Jr. and U.S. Army veteran Peter Anthony on behalf of his brother Congressman John Larson (D-1). American Legion Post 133 Commander Art Sladyk and Corporal Clifford (Bruce) Daugherty worked with the congressman’s office to secure the medals for twenty-six local Korean War veterans, the vast majority of which were presented at an earlier ceremony which Mr. Piechowski and Mr. Anthony were unable to attend.

“I am deeply humbled for the opportunity to present the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal to Mr. Anthony and Mr. Piechowski. These men served our country with courage and honor, and all of us who gathered for the ceremony felt it was extremely important that they receive this recognition from the Korean government in a public ceremony among family, friends and fellow veterans,” said Sen. Larson. “Additionally, I am thankful to Commander Sladyk and Corporal Daugherty for pursuing these medals, which are very well deserved.”

For his service, Mr. Anthony garnered the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.

Mr. Piechowski has been awarded the Navy Occupation Medal and the Korean Ambassador for Peace medal for his military service.