State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed news that Hebron and Marlborough will receive a combined $736,000 in state Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants for improvements to pedestrian movement around the Hebron Green and reconstruction of the boat ramp at Blish Memorial Park in Marlborough.
“STEAP grants are particularly useful for eastern Connecticut towns because they are small-town grants, not urban grants, and they are specifically tailored to preserve the historical integrity and beauty of our small towns, while at the same time improving the local economy and quality of life,” Sen. Osten said. “Both of these grants are going to have a positive impact for folks in Hebron and Marlborough, and I hope local leaders keep the ideas coming for future grants.”
Hebron received $474,000 in state funding for Hebron Green pedestrian connection and parking improvements; the state grant will be matched by $80,000 in town funds. The Hebron Green District is located at and around the intersection of Connecticut Routes 66 and 85 and consists of approximately 36 acres divided among 33 properties. The principal land uses in the area are a church, synagogue, present and old Town Hall, Public Records Building, the Douglas Library, American Legion Hall, offices, a coffee shop, and several residences. The Hebron Center Plan calls for providing safe pedestrian access within sites and between sites to help reduce the impact of automobiles and continuing to encourage the establishment of sidewalks in the public right-of way throughout the town center.
Marlborough received $262,000 in state funding for the Blish Memorial Park Boat Ramp reconstruction and ADA improvements; the state grant will be matched by $256,839 in town funds. The Marlborough Board of Selectmen applied for the state grant on August 8 to improve boat access to the 83-acre, town-owned Terramuggus Lake.
The Hebron and Marlborough STEAP grants were part of $24.5 million in state grants for 60 small towns announced today by the Lamont administration.
The STEAP grants will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements all across Connecticut, such as road safety reconstruction projects, sewer and drainage upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, recreational facility upgrades, and other kinds of capital improvement projects.
The STEAP program is managed by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects. Towns seeking funding under this round of STEAP grants were required to submit applications to OPM by August 18, 2023.