Trumbull Receives $1.2 Million Federal Grant For Construction Project

Information via the town of Trumbull

TRUMBULL, CT — First Selectman Vicki Tesoro announced this week the Trumbull Veterans and First Responder Center project has been awarded a $1.2 million federal grant.

In a news release provided by the town, Tesoro said this grant award represents the final construction funding needed for the project.

"I'm thrilled that this grant award came through for this worthy project," Tesoro said in a news release. "Our thanks go to Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, who supported this grant and were instrumental in obtaining this funding for the project."

Once constructed, this facility will support the 30,000 veterans in our region with a variety of services including job training, access to healthcare and other supports, Tesoro said.

First responders in Trumbull and the region will utilize the facility for training critical in the performance of their jobs. The town and a variety of civic organizations will utilize the facility for community meetings and programs, including events for small businesses, according to Tesoro.

Other funding received for the project includes a CT Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant in the amount of $129,999, $750,000 obtained by U.S. Representative Jim Himes, a grant to the VFW for $250,000 toward the project which was secured by State Representative Sarah Keitt, and $1.5 million in state bond funds approved under the leadership of State Senator Marilyn Moore, according to Tesoro.

The project has enjoyed the bipartisan support of Trumbull’s legislative delegation, Tesoro said.

The building committee tasked with the Veterans and First Responders Center project is chaired by former First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin Jr., and includes members Steve Lemoine, Trumbull Police Chief Michael Lombardo, Preston Merritt, Dan Sacco, Kevin Shively, and Bruce Silverstone and former member Mary Beth Thornton.

"I'd like to thank Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for supporting this grant, and Economic and Community Development Director Rina Bakalar for all her hard work applying for grant funding," Baldwin said. "It's taken a lot of hard work by many people to get this project to construction."

A groundbreaking ceremony is in the planning stages and is expected to occur in May, Tesoro said.

Phase 1 construction of the foundation, septic and storm water management work are expected to begin prior to the groundbreaking. The Phase 2 bid for vertical construction will be issued soon now that all construction funding is in place, according to Tesoro.