Duff Welcomes Nearly $600K For Norwalk Nonprofit STAR Inc.

Information via Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff

NORWALK, CT — Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff announced Wednesday a state grant of nearly $600,000 for Norwalk-based nonprofit STAR Inc.

In a news release provided by his office, Duff said the grant would be used for ADA-compliant improvements.

"STAR is a fantastic organization here in Norwalk, providing essential services to individuals with disabilities from birth through their senior years," Duff said in a news release. "I am grateful to Governor [Ned] Lamont for continuing to make these critical investments to our local nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable residents. These facility upgrades will ensure STAR families are able to access the office safely and securely."

According to Duff, the grant was released through the state's Nonprofit Grant Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management.

STAR, Inc. Lighting the Way is an organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in their home communities that serves residents in lower Fairfield County, primarily in Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Wilton and Weston.

According to Duff, the grant of $569,323 will help install two new ADA-compliant covered entrance ramps at their Norwalk office.

Grants administered through the program will be used to fund capital projects not typically reimbursed through other funding mechanisms and will support projects such as facility alterations, renovations, improvements, and additions, new construction, health, safety and Americans with Disabilities Act projects, energy conservation improvements, information technology systems, technology that promotes client independence, purchase of vehicles and acquisition of property, according to Duff.

The nonprofit grant program was established in 2013 and has since provided more than $130 million to the state's nonprofit organizations, supporting about 750 projects, Duff said.