Ellington Schools Awarded HVAC Upgrade Grants Exceeding $3.7 Million

ELLINGTON, CT — Ellington has been selected to receive more than $3.7 million out of $56 million in grants for public schools throughout Connecticut to make upgrades to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at three town schools.

The town is slated to receive grants totaling $3,704,937.50 for work at the high school, middle school and Center School. The total cost of the projects is $6,736,250.

The grants are being awarded through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a newly established state program administered by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services. It was created as part of the budget adjustment bill that Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law in 2022.

These $56 million in grants represent the first round of funding released through this program. The initial round opened Sept. 14, 2022, and school districts seeking grants were required to submit applications to the state by Dec. 1, 2022. Municipalities are required to provide matching grants to fund the project costs, according to the governor's office.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Replacing, upgrading, or repairing boilers and other heating and ventilation components;
• Replacing controls and technology systems related to HVAC operations;
• Installing or upgrading air conditioning or ventilation systems; and
• Other similar work approved by the commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services.

State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said, "One of our top priorities is ensuring that our students and educators have access to safe and healthy learning and teaching environments. I commend Governor Lamont for recognizing the importance of this issue and making investments to improve indoor air quality in schools. Healthy schools provide students and educators with classroom settings that are conducive to teaching and learning, ensuring better academic outcomes for our students."