Sen. Lesser, Middletown Delegation Applaud $2.1 Million in State Funding for Community Greenhouse

State Senators Matt Lesser and Jan Hochadel and State Representatives Brandon Chafee and Kai Belton welcomed this month over $2.1 million in state funding from the Community Investment Fund for Middletown’s Community Health Center to install an urban garden greenhouse.

The Community Investment Fund (CIF) was developed to foster economic development in historically underserved Connecticut communities. The fund has released hundreds of millions of dollars to eligible municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations.

Grants are available for:

• Capital improvement programs, such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation
• Small business capital programs, including revolving or micro loan programs, gap financing, and start-up funds to establish small businesses
• Planning for capital projects including activities such as community engagement processes, feasibility studies, development of project plan and construction budget.

The CIF funds will build a four-season glass greenhouse on the Community Health Center campus. The multi-purpose greenhouse will provide opportunities for community educational programming, community meeting space and growing starter trees for transplantation in partnership with the City of Middletown and local organizations to create a tree canopy.

“My congratulations to CHC, Inc. on securing this major investment from the State of Connecticut. This greenhouse will be an important landmark on Main Street and help jump start an entire environmental education ecosystem for Middletown residents,” said Sen. Matt Lesser. “More urban green space results in cleaner air, an increase in quality of life for residents and provides for unique education opportunities for Middletown youth. I am grateful to the CIF Board for approving these funds and I look forward to seeing this project progress.”

“It’s great to see the Community Investment Fund supporting the Community Health Center’s ongoing efforts to serve and enhance Middletown’s neighborhoods,” Sen. Jan Hochadel said. “This project not only promises to contribute to the city’s green landscape but will also provide a venue for educational opportunities.”

“I’m happy to see another project in Middletown receive funding through the Community Investment Fund,” Rep. Brandon Chafee said, “This is a great investment for Middletown that will add to the charm and uniqueness of our Main Street. I look forward to seeing the educational opportunities this opens for residents of our community, and hope to see this spark interest in local gardening amongst our youth.”

“The Urban Garden Greenhouse project will not only create a space for residents to find community, it will also be a resource for those interested in building food security and social emotional well being. I’m grateful that the Community Health Center has received this funding and excited about the benefits this will bring to our community,” said Rep. Kai Belton.