Senator Rahman Welcomes CIF Vote to Recommend $1 Million for Ädelbrook’s Manchester Academy

Senator MD Rahman, D-Manchester, celebrated a Tuesday vote by the Community Investment Fund (CIF) Board to recommend a $1 million state investment to help Ädelbrook Educational Programs expand the capacity of its Manchester Academy serving students with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The CIF vote represents a key step in the process of securing final approval of the funding by the State Bond Commission, which must meet within the next 60 days to take up the board’s recommendations.

The Manchester Academy currently operates at capacity and serves around 36 students with autism and developmental disabilities. The expected state funding will help the program reduce its waiting list by expanding the facility and hiring new staff so it can enroll more students between the ages of three and 11.

“This $1 million investment is a compassionate commitment to the future of our children and our community,” Senator Rahman said. “The need for specialized services for students with autism is urgent, and this funding ensures that dozens of families on the waiting list will get access to the education and therapy they deserve. This project helps guarantee the right of every child to receive a quality education and creates new jobs right here in Manchester.”

Senator Honig Applauds CIF Vote to Fund Major Torrington Projects

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, celebrated a Tuesday vote by the Community Investment Fund (CIF) Board to recommend supporting two transformative projects in Torrington, including $1 million to expand a fresh food production program and $250,000 to encourage the growth and development of the KidsPlay Children’s Museum.

The expected state funding will help the City of Torrington advance these initiatives:

-$1 million for the CT Food 4 Thought Expansion Project: this initiative supplies fresh, pesticide-free lettuce to dozens of Connecticut schools and local grocery stores. The planned expansion includes the construction of new facilities designed to increase CT Food 4 Thought’s current production capacity while also creating new living-wage jobs in Northwest Connecticut.

-$250,000 for the KidsPlay Children’s Museum: The museum aims to provide children with exhibits that foster creativity and encourage an understanding of the arts, sciences, and the world. This planning grant is designed to help ensure the museum’s future development meets community needs, makes the best use of its space, and encourages greater community engagement.

“The funding recommended today by the CIF Board will be direct investments in the health, economy, and children of both Torrington and the Northwest Connecticut region,” Senator Honig said. “The CT Food 4 Thought project will put healthy food on the tables of thousands of families and students, while the support for the KidsPlay Children’s Museum will help provide Torrington kids with an even more enriching center for learning and creativity. These are fiscally responsible investments that promise significant returns for our residents, and I look forward to the State Bond Commission’s final approval.”