Naugatuck Welcomes $3 Million In Funding For Industrial Park Project

NAUGATUCK, CT — On Wednesday, state senators Joan Hartley and Senator Jorge Cabrera and state representatives David Labriola and Seth Bronko, welcomed the approval of $3 million by the board of the Community Investment Fund 2030 for the facilitation of the redevelopment of the 86-acre site formerly known as the Uniroyal Chemical/United States Rubber Company.

According to a news release provided by Hartley, the $3 million in state funding would advance Phase III of the Naugatuck Industrial Park project by supporting the construction of permanent and temporary access roads.

"This funding approval is significant for advancing the Naugatuck Industrial Project," Hartley said in a news release. "Step by step, we are working closer to putting this 80-plus acre site back into productive use and growing the tax base, while unlocking the job creation benefits this project holds for the Naugatuck Valley. Many thanks to my partners in the Naugatuck delegation and [Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess] for their collaborative advocacy of this project. Also, I'm grateful to Governor [Ned] Lamont and the members of the Community Investment Fund 2030 board for recognizing how the project is a win-win for economic growth on the local and state level."

According to Hartley, local matching funds are envisioned for complementary actions at the site, including demolition of remaining foundations, drainage improvements and mass earthwork/soil management to prepare the site for construction pads.

These collective improvements would enable the ultimate redevelopment of the 86-acre site for light industrial and commercial uses, which has already piqued the attention of several interested parties. On top of spurring private investment and economic development, Naugatuck believes the fully realized regional project could create between 150-450 jobs, Hartley said.

"The Naugatuck Industrial Park project will create jobs and anytime we can make an investment in a job creating venture it is great for our residents and our state," Cabrera said in a news release. "I am grateful to the Community Investment Fund Board and my colleagues in the delegation and the governor for advancing this project."

The Community Investment Fund 2030 is a five-year grant program, enacted in the 2021 legislative session, dedicated to fostering economic development in communities that have been historically underserved. Eligible projects under the program include brownfield remediation, small business support programs and infrastructure.

"These funds will provide a huge boost in economic growth for our town and region," Labriola said in a news release. "We all worked together to obtain this valuable grant for the borough of Naugatuck."

Bronko noted this investment will benefit Naugatuck residents and beyond.

"I thank the board for approving funding for the project," Bronko said in a news release. "This marks a major step forward and a commitment from the state in converting the grounds for development."

More information can be found at the Community Investment Fund website.