Governor Announces STEAP Grant for Berlin

TOLLAND, CT — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday announced that Berlin is one of 16 towns throughout Connecticut that will receive funding in the latest round of the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program, or STEAP grant.

STEAP awards are designed to assists smaller communities with infrastructure and capital improvement projects. The nearly $6 million in grants announced Monday are the second round of grants announced this year. An earlier round of STEAP 2016 grants was announced in February.

“By partnering with our smaller communities, our state can assist towns with infrastructure projects that will help them grow, remain competitive, attract businesses, and bring added value to residents for years to come,” Malloy said. “These STEAP grants allow us to get funding directly to municipalities to complete projects that make Connecticut a better place to work and live.”

“It is so important for state and local governments to work together to improve our neighborhoods, economic centers, and quality of life for residents,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, a Tolland resident. “These grants will help towns make public safety and infrastructure improvements, bolster downtown districts, and tackle projects they may not otherwise be able to do. These projects have valuable long-term impact on our communities and for our residents.”

Since 2011, small towns across Connecticut have received approximately $230 million in funds under the program.

The local STEAP grant announced Monday is:

• Berlin – $500,000 for the revitalization of the Downtown Village Streetscape. The streetscape improvement project in the Main Street area of Kensington is the second phase of a project now in construction. The construction of streetscape improvements in this area will be an important element in the continuing effort to create a community center in the Berlin Train Station area. The project complements the institution of commuter rail service in 2018, embraces the importance of walkability, and the creation of a more active business center. This grant follows several other Transit-Oriented Development grants awarded by the Office of Policy and Management for the same area of Berlin.
  

Photo Credit: Town of Berlin