HARTFORD – The State Bond Commission at its April 11 meeting approved about $77 million in state funding to support the sixth round of grants under the Community Investment Fund 2030.
Those funds will go toward seven projects and organizations in Fairfield County for a total of $11.5 million, according to Gov. Ned Lamont, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, and Speaker of the House Matt Ritter.
Overall, the sixth round supports 35 economic development projects in 21 towns and cities across Connecticut.
“Through this grant program, we are helping municipalities throughout Connecticut make improvements in underserved areas that will enhance their economic vibrancy and revitalize neighborhoods,” said Lamont, chair of the State Bond Commission.
Sen. Looney emphasized the effect the grants will have on local communities.
“The Community Investment Fund is one of the most transformative economic development tools we’ve created in recent years,” Senator Looney said. “These grants are targeted investments to uplift underserved communities, assist struggling nonprofit social service organizations, promote equity, and spur long-term economic growth across Connecticut.”
The Community Investment Fund was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and Lamont in 2022 to support economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. Eligible projects include capital improvements, such as those focused on affordable housing, brownfield remediation, infrastructure, and public facilities, as well as small business support programs that provide revolving loans, gap financing, microloans, or start-up financing.
All CIF communities will benefit from a $250,000 grant to the CT Humanities Council, which will be used to fund the “Cultural Cohort.” This planning grant will allow CT Humanities to assess the needs of 560 cultural organizations in the 55 CIF communities.
The following grants for Fairfield projects were approved under this round:
Bridgeport
Green Village Initiatives Inc.
$250,000
“Bridgeport Regional Food Hub” – Green Village Initiative is a nonprofit organization serving Bridgeport focused on addressing systemic inequities in the local food system through urban agriculture, education, and community empowerment. The Bridgeport Regional Food Hub and Community Empowerment Initiative is a planning project to develop a county-wide food hub in Bridgeport.
Mercy Learning Center
$250,000
“Capital Improvement Planning” – Mercy Learning Center provides basic literacy and life skills training to women with low income using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. CIF funding would finance specific assessments and plans to address elements that arise from the Organizational Strategic Plan and process prioritizing capital renovations and expansion.
Barnum Museum Foundation
$2,000,000
“Barnum Museum Revitalization” – The Barnum Museum, a historic cultural institution in Bridgeport since 1893, provides educational programs, community events, and accessibility initiatives for diverse audiences. It engages thousands of students, families, and seniors through partnerships with schools and local organizations. The proposed project will continue the museum’s restoration, focusing on safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
Danbury
City of Danbury
$5,000,000
“Downtown Revitalization: Streetscapes for the Future” – The City of Danbury proposes to complete Phase II of the Downtown Danbury’s Revitalization: Streetscapes for the Future Project. The project would enhance pedestrian and streetscape features along key streets: Main Street (Route 53) from Boughton Street to Crosby Street, Liberty Street from Main Street to Patriot Drive, Independence Way, White Street from Ives Street to Main Street, a portion of Elm Street, Post Office Walk, and Kennedy Avenue.
Easton
Easton Public Library
$1 million
This grant will help fund a $2 million expansion and renovation of the Easton Public Library. It is part of a grants-in-aid to public libraries for construction, renovations, expansions, energy conservation and handicapped accessibility.
Norwalk
Open Door Shelter Inc.
$250,000
“Campus Expansion Project” – The mission of Open Doors is to end homelessness in the greater Norwalk region by guiding every person in the cycle of homelessness toward housing stability. Open Doors intends to develop a plan to expand its operations within the South Norwalk neighborhood by assessing its existing housing portfolio and exploring the acquisition of abutting properties.
Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail
$1,500,000
“Glover Avenue Spur” – The Norwalk River Valley Trail is a recreational and transportation amenity in Norwalk and once completed will run from Danbury to Norwalk. This project proposes the completion of the Norwalk section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail.
Stamford
Rippowam Corp.
$2,000,000
“Oak Park Phase II” – Rippowam Corporation is the nonprofit development and asset management affiliate of the Housing Authority of the City of Stamford. Rippowam Corp. requested funding for the second of three planned phases to redevelop Oak Park, located on the East Side of Stamford, to rebuild to avoid areas of chronic flooding and to ensure accessibility for residents.
For more information about the Community Investment Fund, visit portal.ct.gov/communityinvestmentfund.
