Senator Maher Joins State, Redding Leaders To Celebrate $1.92 Million Brownfield Remediation Grant

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) recently joined state and Redding leaders to celebrate the town receiving a Brownfields Cleanup Grant valued at $1.92 million from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to support brownfields cleanup at the Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill Manufacturing Site in town. The funds provide a strong opportunity for cleanup of a 44-acre site that has not been in operation for 35 years and provides any number of development opportunities that would benefit the community.

“This is an incredible investment and represents an opportunity that will benefit our community and our region,” said Sen. Maher. “These funds will provide the resources necessary to support remediation and cleanup of this important site and help us turn it around for development, whether that comes in the form of housing, business or outdoor recreation opportunities. I’m grateful to everyone who worked to help move our community forward in a wonderful way.”

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Governor Ned Lamont, State Representative Anne Hughes (D-Redding) and Redding First Selectman Julia Pemberton were among the leaders celebrating this funding.

The $1,991,000 grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be used to clean up the 44-acre site, which previously operated as a wire mill for more than 150 years, producing metal fencing, animal cages, insect screens and other metal projects. The site has been dormant since 1989 and its soil is contaminated with hazardous materials and petroleum products from former factor operations, with byproducts such as waste acids, alkalis, solvents and paints included in those elements.

This grant comes in addition to a $200,000 remediation grant supplied by the state in June 2023, which was directed to check for contamination levels there. These funds will support efforts to redevelop the area, which have been in progress for decades.