Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) successfully secured more than $30 million for critical transportation, urban development, and environmental needs in Connecticut. The funding, which was included in the Senate's Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Energy and Water bills, was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.  The Senators also secured funding for the Women’s Business Development Center in Stamford, CT as part of the Financial Services appropriations bill.

The two senators worked together to secure important funding for infrastructure improvements across the state, including necessary support for public transportation projects.  Intermodal transportation facilities move traffic off congested roadways, encourage public transit, and enable Connecticut residents to explore alternative commuting methods.  Harbor dredging enables shipping, transit, and recreation along critical waterways that promote the economic health and stability of the entire state.  Other projects will provide blighted areas, public spaces, and youth organizations.

“I’m proud to help secure this federal funding to serve the essential energy and transportation needs of Connecticut’s communities,” said Dodd.  “I am confident that by attaining this critical funding, we can help to ensure that vital housing, transportation, and energy initiatives continue throughout the state and help make Connecticut cleaner, stronger, and safer for years to come.”

“I am extremely pleased with the funding for Connecticut contained in these bills,” Lieberman said.  “We need to support improvements to our state’s infrastructure so we can energize economic development and provide assistance to worthy community initiatives.  These projects will expand transportation options for Connecticut residents, and will do so in a manner that is environmentally responsible.”

Transportation and Urban Development

 
City of Bridgeport

$6,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources to complete integrating the city’s new municipal bus terminal with the city’s Metro North rail station and passenger ferry terminal.

Capital City Economic Development Authority (Hartford)

$2,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources for infrastructure activities associated with the ongoing redevelopment of Front Street and Constitution Way in downtown Hartford.

Children’s Home (Cromwell)

$200,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources for construction activities associated with a necessary facility rehabilitation and expansion initiative.  Established in 1900, the Children’s Home provides comprehensive therapeutic treatment and education for emotionally disturbed and behaviorally disordered children and their families.

Connecticut Department of Transportation (New Britain - Newington - West Hartford - Hartford)

$6,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources for final design work associated with the Hartford-New Britain Busway, a proposed 9.4-mile rapid transit corridor linking downtown New Britain with downtown Hartford via Newington and West Hartford.

Connecticut Science Center (Hartford)

$1,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources to construct a pedestrian plaza linking the Connecticut Convention Center, Connecticut Science Center, and Riverfront Plaza in downtown Hartford.

 Empower New Haven

$750,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources to undertake the cleanup of polluted Brownfield sites across the city.

Town of Enfield

$350,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources to make necessary street infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements along North Main Street.

Town of Manchester

$200,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources to transform an old fire house facility into a full-service municipal youth services center in the neighborhood surrounding Spruce Street.

City of Milford

$520,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources for construction activities associated with the redevelopment of Eisenhower Park.

City of Norwalk

$200,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources for work improving pedestrian safety at and access to the Norwalk Pulse Point transit facility.

City of Norwich

$3,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources for the construction of a new intermodal transportation center located on Hollyhock Island.  The facility will facilitate the expansion of much-needed transit service in southeastern Connecticut.

Southeast Area Transit District (New London County)

$2,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources for the development of a plan to introduce bus rapid transit service connecting key municipalities and destinations in southeastern Connecticut.

Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (Hartford)

$200,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources for activities associated with the acquisition, removal, and redevelopment of blighted properties in the south end of Hartford.

Town of Vernon

$200,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources for exterior and interior upgrades to the historic Amberbelle Mill facility.  These upgrades will ensure the facility remains a viable center for business.

Energy and Water

City of Bridgeport

$500,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources to develop a Dredged Management Material Plan in preparation for the dredging of Bridgeport Harbor.  The plan would identify key areas of the harbor in need of dredging and ensure the safe removal of contaminated sediment.

Connecticut Biofuels Technology Initiative

$1,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources for the Connecticut Biofuels Technology Initiative.  This unique public-private partnership involves the construction and operations of a processing facility in Suffield that will produce usable biofuels from agricultural feedstock, waste cooking grease, and waste vegetable oil resources.

Electro Energy, Inc. (Danbury)

$500,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources for the development of a unique nickel metal hydride battery for use in commercial hybrid vehicle applications.

Nature Conservancy

$200,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources to analyze the operation of 14 dams owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers along the Connecticut River.  The study would make recommendations on improving river flow conditions and the surrounding ecosystem.

City of Norwalk

$3,000,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public resources to dredge the commercial harbor of Norwalk so that the harbor central channel's depth is 12 feet.  The current channel depth is becoming too shallow for the safe passage of commercial vessels.

Town of Old Saybrook

$2,000,000

Funding would be used to continue the necessary dredging of North Cove.

City of Stamford

$500,000

Federal funds would be used in conjunction with other public resources to construct an innovative, low-emission, waste-to-energy electric generation facility that will turn dry sewage sludge into electric power.

Financial Services

 
Women’s Business Development Center, Inc. (statewide)

$300,000

Funding would be used in conjunction with other public and private resources to expand training and support services in business development and entrepreneurship to low and moderate-income women.  Training and support services would be expanded into the cities of New London and Waterbury.

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