Manchester Legislators Praise Community Investment Fund Library Grant

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester's legislative contingent Tuesday lauded the approval by the Community Investment Fund of $3.5 million for a new library in Downtown Manchester.

The CIF is a state program that awards up to $175 million each fiscal year. The funds are awarded across two or more application periods per year. The state Department of Economic and Community Development administers the program by overseeing the application process, vetting applications, sending application summaries to the CIF Board, and managing awards and reporting. The CIF Board and Office of the Governor review applications and the summaries prepared by DECD and make recommendations to the State Bond Commission. The State Bond Commission ultimately approves projects for grants.

Here's a look at an exterior library rendering:

Here's a rendering of the proposed interior:

State Reps. Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford, Manchester), Geoff Luxenberg (D-Manchester), Jason Doucette (D-Glastonbury, Manchester), Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, Manchester) and state Sen. MD Rahman (D-Manchester) all praised the move.

Here's what they said:

Rojas: "Libraries are one of our most important civic institutions and Manchester has long been home to an incredible library that is among the most active in the entire state. It is a place for an entire community to come together to engage with and learn from each other. Manchester deserves a new modern library and that partnership between the state and the town will ensure that a new dynamic library becomes a reality. I am grateful to see this much-needed funding approved by the CIF and look forward to a new state-of-the-art library that can serve all residents."

Luxenberg: "We were proud to deliver more than $5 million for this project last year, and to now get another $3.5 million means better educational opportunities and a reduced property tax burden for Manchester families. This is a landmark victory for the people of Manchester."

Doucette: "I'm thrilled to see this new funding from the CIF come through for the library. I was proud to work with many of my fellow Manchester residents to support the library referendum back in 2022, which passed with resounding support from the voters and sent a clear message that this project was a priority for our community. Together with the earlier round of funding for the ‘Downtown for All’ project, this marks a total of $11 million of state investment for the library project and related Main Street improvements. This is exactly the type of investment in Manchester that I had hoped for and envisioned when we established the CIF in 2021."

Currey: "Libraries are far more than repositories – they are vital community assets that deliver free resources, lifelong learning and serve as social hubs and space for the democratization of access to information regardless of socioeconomic background. I appreciate the investment the CIF Board is making in community, education, social connections, and ultimately a vibrant and informed Manchester."

Rahman: "This round of funding from the Community Investment Fund puts Manchester one step closer to completing our new library, surrounded by safer, more accessible roads. Today’s investment represents good news for residents looking to safely enjoy our vibrant Main Street area whether they’re in a car, on a bicycle or on foot."

Manchester residents voted in favor of a new library in a 2022 referendum.

Here is an up-close look at the project: