Author: Devin James

Senator Gaston Celebrates $8 Million in State Aid for Bridgeport Redevelopment Projects

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Celebrates $8 Million in State Aid for Bridgeport Redevelopment Projects

Senator Herron Keyon Gaston welcomed the approval of a total of $8 million in state grants Friday to fund the remediation and redevelopment of two significant sites in Bridgeport, paving the way for future revitalization of the area including the development of a new soccer stadium.

The first $4 million grant will be used to fund demolition and remediation projects on the former 16-acre greyhound racetrack site at 255 Kossuth Street. This site is slated for development into a soccer stadium by Connecticut Sports Group, LLC, in a project that is eventually expected to include a hotel and community park.

A separate $4 million grant will help fund the completion of a remediation project on a nearly 3-acre site located at 141 and 173 Stratford Ave. This clean-up effort will clear the way for the development of public waterfront access, a boardwalk, and a community soccer field.

“These grants represent a tremendous opportunity to transform blighted areas into vibrant, functional spaces that will benefit the entire Bridgeport community,” Senator Gaston, D-Bridgeport, said. “The exciting development of a new soccer stadium will bring economic growth, job opportunities, and recreational spaces for our residents. I am thrilled to see the positive impact these initiatives will have and I extend my sincere thanks to Governor Lamont for his support in making this possible.”

The grants for Bridgeport were among dozens announced Friday by the governor. In total, the state aid amounted to $26.3 million, which will help fund remediation projects at 22 properties in 17 municipalities across Connecticut.

“Nobody wants to have old, polluted, and blighted properties in their neighborhood that sit vacant for decades, especially when that land could be used to grow new businesses and create housing for people who need it,” Governor Lamont said. “This state program enables us to partner with municipalities and developers to bring these lifeless properties back from the dead.”

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

SENATOR ANWAR WELCOMES $345,000 IN REMEDIATION GRANTS FOR EAST HARTFORD

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 14, 2024

SENATOR ANWAR WELCOMES $345,000 IN REMEDIATION GRANTS FOR EAST HARTFORD

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) was ecstatic to hear that the Department of Economic and Community Development will provide three brownfield remediation grants to East Hartford totaling $345,000. The three grants will support assessment and planning in areas of town that would benefit from redevelopment, furthering reuse and environmental cleanup of important town sites.

“Remediating and cleaning brownfield sites and blight in our communities will directly support business and economic growth, support our environment and benefit residents through improved use of local resources,” said Sen. Anwar. “These grants will play a valuable role in the future of East Hartford.”

East Hartford’s new grants include:

  • $200,000 for a planning grant to examine the Burnside and Church Street Village Area in town, with the goal of addressing potentially contaminated structures and creating a comprehensive plan for the site’s future uses.
  • $95,000 for the assessment of the site located at 164 School Street, which is currently owned by United Steel. This assessment will support the company’s expansion of its operations, creating new tax revenue and a second shift, supporting growth of local tax revenue and local jobs.
  • $50,000 for environmental site assessments of the underused building located at 1016 Main Street to determine a remediation and development strategy for the property, which previously served to host multiple theaters in town.
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Senator Maroney Welcomes Remediation Grant For Former Country Club of Woodbridge

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 14, 2024

Senator Maroney Welcomes Remediation Grant For Former Country Club of Woodbridge

Today, State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) welcomed the Department of Economic and Community Development’s announcement that Woodbridge will receive a significant grant to aid the assessment of a key property through the Brownfield Remediation and Development Program.

“It’s encouraging to know our local resources like this important property are receiving support from the state to support future uses,” said Sen. Maroney. “I’m looking forward to the findings of these planning efforts to support future housing or development.”

Woodbridge will receive $132,000 for a planning grant that will assess a 155-acre property, which formerly served as the Country Club of Woodbridge. The funds will help advance a comprehensive redevelopment vision for housing or mixed-use development in town.

Woodbridge leaders purchased the property in 2009 to prevent development there after previous owners went bankrupt. Last year, the town issued a Request for Proposal for a comprehensive plan regarding recommendations for the site’s use, with a master plan hoped to balance potential environmental protection, housing types, or passive recreational infrastructure based on residents’ wishes.
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SENATOR MARX, MAYOR PASSERO WELCOME NEW LONDON BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION GRANT

Posted on by Devin James

June 14, 2024

SENATOR MARX, MAYOR PASSERO WELCOME NEW LONDON BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION GRANT

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) and New London Mayor Michael Passero welcomed an announced $200,000 grant that New London will receive through the Department of Economic and Community Development to support future remediation of six parcels in town.

“Redeveloping these sites will provide strong opportunities for our city to reuse key properties to benefit the city for decades to come,” said Sen. Marx. “I will follow this work closely as I’m excited by the prospect of cleaning up these locations and finding new ways to revitalize them.”

“This latest Brownfield Grant is yet another significant investment by the state in the redevelopment of downtown New London,” said Mayor Passero. “We are extremely grateful for the Governor’s partnership and the work of our state delegation that is helping to drive the great economic revival of our central business district.”

The grant, issued through the Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, will prepare environmental site assessments of six parcels on Bank Street and Meridian Street in New London to determine a remediation strategy for future revitalization of the properties.

Completing the work in question will enable New London to utilize an existing federal Environmental Protection Agency grant worth $1 million to aid remediation activities at the sites in question.
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

Portland Leaders Welcome $200,000 Brownfield Remediation Grant

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 14, 2024

Portland Leaders Welcome $200,000 Brownfield Remediation Grant

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), State Representative Christie Carpino (R-Portland) and Portland First Selectman Ryan Curley supported the announcement that Portland will receive a grant valued at $200,000 through the state’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program to support the development of a new master plan for downtown, including work on three brownfield parcels in the region.

“This is excellent news, and encouraging to hear as I’ve been working in support of this project for some time now,” said Sen. Needleman. “Our state’s continued efforts to turn derelict and unused properties into new community resources will have transformative effects over time.”

“For years, Portland has made a concerted effort to rehabilitate key properties downtown,” said Rep. Carpino. “This is an important part of the puzzle, as the plan will allow us to put the pieces together.”

“This is amazing news for the Town of Portland and we are grateful to all of our partners at the state level for supporting this initiative,” said First Selectman Curley.

According to the Department of Economic and Community Development, Portland will receive a $200,000 planning grant to develop a new master plan for downtown. This plan will encompass the Riverfront Overlay Zone and Town Village District in Portland, including brownfield parcels at three locations on Brownstone Avenue.

Portland previously received a $750,000 grant in 2016 for remediation work adjacent to the Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park in Portland at these three sites.
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SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, FIRST SELECTMAN DENNLER WELCOME $1.126 MILLION BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION GRANT FOR COLCHESTER

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
June 14, 2024

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, FIRST SELECTMAN DENNLER WELCOME $1.126 MILLION BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION GRANT FOR COLCHESTER

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Colchester First Selectman Bernie Dennler welcomed the news that Colchester will receive a grant valued at more than $1.1 million through the state’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program to support the remediation of a former mill site that will be turned into a park for passive recreation.

“This is excellent news, and encouraging to hear as I’ve been working in support of this project for some time now,” said Sen. Needleman. “Our state’s continued efforts to turn derelict and unused properties into new community resources will have transformative effects over time.”

“We are so grateful to the Department of Economic and Community Development and our state leaders for supporting the remediation efforts at Norton Paper Mill,” said First Selectman Dennler. “When complete, Norton Park will be a beautiful addition to the Westchester area that will celebrate Colchester history and provide passive recreation opportunities for people of all ages.”

According to the Department of Economic and Community Development, Colchester will receive $1,125,700 through this program to complete remediation of approximately 3,200 cubic yards of impacted soil at the former Norton Paper Mill Site. Once the work is complete, the property will be turned into a public park in town.

Colchester previously received a grant of $518,000 through the Remedial Action and Redevelopment Municipal Grant Program in 2016 supporting what is expected to become the Norton Park. The town acquired the property that year.

Earlier this year, the town also accepted two grants from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection supporting the park’s cleanup and redevelopment, as well as a contract to complete flood management certification before environmental remediation could begin.

The Norton Paper Mill operated from the 1880s to the 1960s, manufacturing a variety of paper products.
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SEN. FLEXER, REP. BOYD WELCOME STATE INVESTMENT IN POMFRET PUBLIC LIBRARY

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

SEN. FLEXER, REP. BOYD WELCOME STATE INVESTMENT IN POMFRET PUBLIC LIBRARY

POMFRET — State Senator Mae Flexer state Representative Pat Boyd (D-Pomfret) are welcoming State Bond Commission approval of more than a million dollars for upgrades to the Pomfret Public Library.

On Friday, June 7, the State Bond Commission approved $1,011,297 for alterations at the Pomfret Public Library to improve existing space with the addition of meeting and activity rooms. The state grant will pay for half of the total project cost of $2,022,594.

The Pomfret Public Library was built in 1739 and was the first public library in eastern Connecticut. The library receives more than 10,000 visitors a year and hosts a variety of programs every week that attract more than 2,000 attendees.

“A library is the heart of any community, and that has been true in Pomfret for almost 300 years. This more than million-dollar state investment will allow this dynamic library to expand the incredible opportunities that are available to everyone in the community, from toddlers to seniors,” Sen. Flexer said. “This project will be transformative for the Pomfret Public Library.”

“The Pomfret Public Library expansion is a critical investment in our community, helping to transform it into a modern community and library space,” said Rep. Boyd. “I want to extend my thanks to Governor Lamont and members of the State Bond Commission for considering the project and approving funding for it. A library with updated technology and amenities will provide a more connected and enriching experience to residents.”

“This project comes at a crucial time,” First Selectwoman Maureen Nicholson. “The need for connection is growing as we become more dependent on remote interactions. Pomfret’s Public Library provides a variety of opportunities for residents to meet and socialize in person in a time of growing isolation. With the space this addition will provide, our community will be enriched with greater opportunities and expanded spaces to come together. When we gather, our community fabric grows stronger, our residents feel connected, and our lives are enhanced.”

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Sen. Slap, Rep. Haddad Release Statement on Governor Lamont Naming Martin Guay as Chair of the Board of Regents

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Slap, Rep. Haddad Release Statement on Governor Lamont Naming Martin Guay as Chair of the Board of Regents

HARTFORD, CT – Today, Chairs of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee State Senator Derek Slap and State Representative Gregg Haddad release a statement on Governor Lamont naming Martin Guay as the Chair of the Board of Regents.

“As Chairs of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee we look forward to working collaboratively with Mr. Guay to not only strengthen our CSCU system but also Connecticut’s economy. There is no denying that higher education is the largest economic engine in our state and Mr. Guay has a wealth of experience aligning education with ever-evolving workforce demands. We must also remember that the students who successfully graduate from our public institutions are the fuel of our economy and our future,” said Sen. Derek Slap and Rep. Gregg Haddad. “We are also grateful to JoAnn Ryan for her service to Connecticut, especially as we navigated the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic on our students and our institutions.”

To read more about the appointment, please click here.

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Contact: Garnet McLaughlin
860-304-2319
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STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE MARTIN LOONEY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DUFF ON GOVERNOR LAMONT’S VETO OF H.B. 5431, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONNECTICUT FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACCOUNT”

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE MARTIN LOONEY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DUFF ON GOVERNOR LAMONT’S VETO OF H.B. 5431, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONNECTICUT FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACCOUNT”

“It is disappointing that this legislation has been vetoed by the governor. The bill would have provided important relief to low-income workers. Legislators will return next year with a renewed focus on passing the original version of this bill, which the Senate passed two years ago.

“H.B. 5431 would have had a limited impact on employers and businesses and was designed to address an increase in an employer’s unemployment compensation costs by providing state funds to meet this need. We are determined to return with the original concept which will address the governor’s concern regarding “criteria for eligibility or the specific types of assistance that will be provided.”

“Our neighboring states of New York and New Jersey have passed legislation providing unemployment compensation to workers who have been on strike for two weeks or more; these bills were signed into law by Democratic governors. Workers do not strike casually or without justification; striking usually results only when employers have been intransigent or have refused to bargain in good faith. These workers often sustain hardships due to the painful decision to strike, which this bill sought to address and ease.

“The commitment to advance equity for workers will continue in the next session.”

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STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE MARTIN LOONEY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DUFF ON GOVERNOR LAMONT’S VETO OF H.B. 5431, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONNECTICUT FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACCOUNT”

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE MARTIN LOONEY AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DUFF ON GOVERNOR LAMONT’S VETO OF H.B. 5431, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CONNECTICUT FAMILIES AND WORKERS ACCOUNT”

“It is disappointing that this legislation has been vetoed by the governor. The bill would have provided important relief to low-income workers. Legislators will return next year with a renewed focus on passing the original version of this bill, which the Senate passed two years ago.

“H.B. 5431 would have had a limited impact on employers and businesses and was designed to address an increase in an employer’s unemployment compensation costs by providing state funds to meet this need. We are determined to return with the original concept which will address the governor’s concern regarding “criteria for eligibility or the specific types of assistance that will be provided.”

“Our neighboring states of New York and New Jersey have passed legislation providing unemployment compensation to workers who have been on strike for two weeks or more; these bills were signed into law by Democratic governors. Workers do not strike casually or without justification; striking usually results only when employers have been intransigent or have refused to bargain in good faith. These workers often sustain hardships due to the painful decision to strike, which this bill sought to address and ease.

“The commitment to advance equity for workers will continue in the next session.”

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