Groton To Receive $8.5 Million From State To Expand Housing

GROTON, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday that the state will award $36.5 million in grants to eight cities and towns under the second round of his administration’s recently launched Connecticut Communities Challenge Grant program. Groton is one of the town receiving funds.

Groton will receive $8.5 million. The town will partner with private partners Groton Housing Authority and Rogers Development, LLC to build multiple mixed-use developments to redevelop riverfront or river-adjacent, underutilized lots in downtown Groton to meet that area’s housing shortage, according to the statement.

The development will result in 256 new units, including 51 affordable units; various infrastructure and pedestrian access improvements, including bikeways and a pedestrian bridge; and new public recreation space.

The state grant program was created in 2021 with the purpose of funding a wide range of revitalization projects intended to spur the growth of thousands of new jobs.

“We created this grant program as a component of our efforts to spur economic growth and the creation of new jobs as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lamont said in a statement. “Each of these approved state grants are going toward projects that improve the livability and quality of life in communities and will make these neighborhoods even more attractive for private investments and opportunities for residents.”

In a statement, State Representative-elect and Groton Town Councilor Aundré Bumgardner said, "I was proud to support this grant request, and thank Governor Lamont for awarding $8.5 million to the Town of Groton and Groton Housing Authority. This project aligns with Groton’s long- term plans for meeting our area's housing demands and capital improvements, enhances the Route 1 corridor’s multimodal transportation options, and will foster community connectivity."

The first round of grants under this program was released in April and included $45 million to support projects in 12 towns and cities. A third round is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2023.