State Funding Approved For 2 Projects In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — The state Community Investment Fund (CIF) board approved funding for two Hamden-based projects on Tuesday.

Hamden will receive $1.5 million for a new fire station, and the Children’s Center of Hamden will receive $250,000 for campus assessment and expansion planning.

“The Town of Hamden will use the funds to construct a new fire station to replace the existing Fire Station 2,” according to a news release. “The new station will provide public safety education and workforce development programming for underserved residents. The Children’s Center of Hamden will use the funds to evaluate capital improvements to the organization’s seven-building campus.”

The CIF board met on March 10 and approved all 38 projects on its agenda. The funds will not be officially released until the State Bond Commission gives final approval later this year.

Read more from the news release below:

The Hamden delegation, which includes State Representatives Laurie Sweet (D- Hamden), Josh Elliott (D - Hamden), Steve Winter (D – New Haven, Hamden), Mary Welander (D - Derby, Hamden, Orange, Woodbridge), and Liz Linehan (D - Cheshire, Hamden, Wallingford) were thrilled that these projects were included on the agenda.

“Thank you to the CIF board for investing in Hamden,” Sweet said. “The new fire station will not only keep the residents of Hamden safe, but it will also provide much-needed services to our community. The Children’s Center of Hamden has done tremendous work with the young people in our area, and this project will allow them to maintain their excellence.”

Linehan said, "The funds coming to Hamden will provide more resources for children in need, public safety, and critical workforce development programs. Thank you to the CIF for their support, and thank you to my legislative colleagues for their advocacy for Hamden."

“Very few investments yield a greater return than investing in children and child development,” Winter said. “Supporting young people today is one of the most effective ways to ensure a bright future for our neighborhoods and our state. Public safety is also a fundamental investment that we must always prioritize. I thank CIF for recognizing the importance of these priorities and for investing in Hamden.”

Elliott said, “I'm proud to see the Community Investment Fund invest in projects that strengthen Hamden and expand opportunity for our residents. The money awarded to the Children’s Center of Hamden will support important planning for improvements and future expansion of its campus, helping ensure it can continue serving children and families for years to come. In addition, the investment toward replacing Fire Station 2 will help the town move forward with a modern facility that improves emergency response while creating opportunities for public safety education and workforce development, particularly for underserved residents.”

“These investments are wonderful news for Hamden and will help strengthen both public safety and opportunities for families in our community,” Welander said. “The new fire station will support emergency response while also creating space for workforce development, and the funds for the Children’s Center of Hamden will help ensure the organization can continue serving local families for years to come. I’m grateful to the Connecticut Community Investment Fund and Governor Ned Lamont for believing in the future of Hamden.”