Norwalk Awarded Over $6M In State Funding

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk has been awarded over $6 million in state funding following an approval by the State Bond Commission on Friday.

According to a news release provided by Governor Ned Lamont's office, $3 million in funds will go toward the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency for "South Norwalk Streetscape Improvements."

The funding will "make significant capital improvements to public infrastructure to support pedestrian infrastructure and align with completed mobility study," according to the release.

Another $3,444,751 in funds will also go toward Sound Communities, Inc. (Norwalk Housing Authority) to "support replacement of 54 units of obsolete affordable housing with 55 modern, energy efficient, affordable housing units and amenities."

On Friday, the State Bond Commission approved the release of approximately $74 million in state funding to support the fourth round of grants under the Community Investment Fund 2030.

The state grant fund was created in 2022 to support economic development in what 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), according to the release.

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, according to the release.

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, according to the release.

"Each of 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 in a news release. "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."