Senator Maroney, West Haven Delegation Celebrates $250,000 Being Allocated Project in West Haven

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) and the West Haven Delegation is celebrating funds released to West Haven during the Community Investment Fund meet. West Haven applied for Community Investment Funds (CIF) that will help with the planning of the Village Improvement District.

The CIF is awarding $250,000 to the ‘West Haven Downtown Revitalization Planning’ project which will help with the development planning for the West Haven Village Improvement District.

“I am grateful that West Haven is getting funding to help improve an area that is becoming heavily trafficked,” said Sen. Maroney. “Securing these funds is not just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in the well-being of our residents. By enhancing our neighborhoods today, we are creating a safer, more resilient community for those in the future.”

“The West Villages Improvement District is a neighborhood with an ever-growing potential and with this funding, the community will benefit for years to come,” said Senator Winfield. “Thank you to the members of the Community Investment Fund for believing in this project to create a safer and healthier environment for those in the surrounding area.”

“Equitable growth is the way to economic prosperity, and I am thankful the CIF clearly understands,” State Rep. Treneé McGee said. “The West Haven Village Improvement District will benefit from this funding. Thank you to the CIF for its commitment to West Haven.”

“I’m happy that the CIF Board has approved the request for $250,000 for the City of West Haven for the West Haven Revitalization Planning,” said Representative Bill Heffernan (District 115). “The development planning for the West Haven Village Improvement District moves the city in the right direction. I want to thank Mayor Dorinda Borer for her vision for the future of West Haven. The next step for this funding is approval by the State Bond Commission.”

“The Downtown District has been an area of focus for us, and in order to properly address significant changes, a professional plan is required,” said Mayor Dorinda Borer. “This will consist of evaluating potential traffic impacts, the remediation of brownfield concerns, and an overall comprehensive plan of smart development. This will allow us to be better positioned to request large-scale grants to help lift up the area.”

The West Villages Improvement District (WVID) was created in 2004 by a Special Act of the Florida Legislature. The planned improvements will reduce the speed of traffic and enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists along a US 41 in an area that is growing rapidly with new residential and commercial construction. Reduced speed will also help mitigate noise impacts associated with US 41 traffic.

The improvements are being completed in two phases to add sidewalk pathways, curbs, landscaping and functional traffic roundabouts. Extensive planning has been done to ensure there will be minimal traffic impacts.

The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) was created by a bipartisan vote of the General Assembly in 2021 and is funded through state bonding.

The CIF fosters economic development in historically underserved communities across the state. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

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