Ridgefield Schools Score Over $13K In State Grants To Upgrade HVAC

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Seven Ridgefield schools have been awarded state grants to make upgrades to their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Barlow Mountain, Veterans Park, Ridgefield High School, East Ridge Middle School, Branchville, Farmingville and Ridgebury scored state grants totaling over $13,000. They are among 50 schools awarded $56 million through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a newly established state program that is administered by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.

The program was created as part of the budget adjustment bill signed into law in 2022. It has been allocated $150 million through two revenue streams, including $75 million from state bond funding and $75 million from the state's share of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

These $56 million in grants represent the first round of funding released through this program, according to a statement from Gov. Ned Lamont's Office. This initial round opened on Sept. 14, 2022, and school districts seeking grants were required to submit applications to the state by Dec. 1, 2022. Municipalities are required to provide matching grants to fund the project costs.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who represents District 4 and Ridgefield in Washington, D.C., said, "Providing public schools with the funding they need to upgrade their HVAC systems is not only necessary to protect our children’s health and development, it is also a smart financial investment that increases energy efficiency and lowers costs."