State Bond Commission Endorses Funds For Project In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The State Bond Commission Friday approved the release of approximately $74 million in state funding to support the fourth round of grants under the Community Investment Fund 2030 and a project in Middletown is included.

In Middletown, Community Health Center, Inc. is to receive $2,130,500 for "The Urban Garden Greenhouse," a four-season glass greenhouse on the Community Health Center, Inc. campus. The multi-purpose greenhouse will provide opportunities for community educational programming, community meeting space and growing starter trees for transplantation in partnership with the City of Middletown and local organizations to create a tree canopy.

The state grant fund was created in 2022 to support economic development in what Gov. Ned Lamont termed "historically underserved communities" across Connecticut. It is overseen by a 21-member board that is co-chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), and Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford).

The board reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the governor, who in his capacity as chairman of the State Bond Commission, authorizes and advances the recommendations to the commission so it can give final approval to release the funding.

The program is anticipated to release up to $875 million in grants over a five-year period.

Eligible projects include capital improvements, such as those focused on affordable housing, brownfield remediation, infrastructure, and public facilities, as well as small business support programs that provide revolving loans, gap financing, microloans, or start-up financing.

In addition to promoting economic or community development in the municipality, projects must be intentionally designed to further consistent and systematic fair, just, impartial treatment of all individuals, including those belonging to underserved and marginalized communities such, as Black, Latino, indigenous and native American persons, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; persons comprising the LGBTQ+ community; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

"These grants are focused on infrastructure improvement projects that will enhance the economic vibrancy of historically underserved neighborhoods and help these towns and cities revitalize their economic base," Lamont said. "I am glad that we could partner with each of these organizations on these projects so that we can drive growth in communities across Connecticut."