Danbury To Pursue Grant Opportunities For Local Biz & Nonprofits

DANBURY, CT — Mayor Dean Esposito is looking to create an agency to explore and pursue grant opportunities for the City of Danbury and its non-profit and business communities.

The first step was the creation of a task force to determine the structure and design of this new entity, to be called the Office of Federal, State and Local Grant Opportunities.

"Danbury deserves our fair share, and I look forward to these individuals developing and implementing a plan that will serve our city well," Esposito said.

The new bureau will have two main goals, according to a news release from the Mayor's Office. It will serve as the center point for the city to explore all grant opportunities, partnering all city departments, as well as the Board of Education. The office will also serve as a hub for non-profits and businesses to pursue grants on the local, state, and federal levels.

Members of the bipartisan task force include former Congressman Jim Maloney, former State Senator David Cappiello, former Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board President and CEO Catherine Awwad, Danbury Finance Director Dan Garrick, and Danbury Communications and Government Affairs Advisor John Kleinhans.

"I'm excited that these outstanding individuals will serve on the Task Force for the creation of the Office of Federal, State and Local Grant Opportunities," Esposito said. "Since my first day in office, I have been focused on finding grant opportunities at all levels of government for our departments, city government, school system, as well as our non-profit and business communities. I want to find any penny we can for the City of Danbury."