Vernon In Line For $2.5 Million More For Mill Transformation In Rockville

VERNON, CT — The state's Community Investment Fund Tuesday approved a $2.5 million grant that will, according to local officials, "allow the town to complete the environmental cleanup of the Daniels Mill."

The cleanup is a key component of the Vernon Mills redevelopment project that will "transform downtown Rockville."

The cleanup efforts that include the removal of hazardous materials are underway at the Daniel's Mill complex, led by Ellington-based Bestech.

The grant now goes to the state Bond Commission for final approval.

"We are grateful to Governor Lamont and our entire legislative delegation for their advocacy for this grant and the transformational project it will allow us to complete," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “Since I became mayor, I have been focused on redeveloping the Amerbelle, Daniel's and Anocoil mills. We are now close to completing the work necessary to move this project to the next phase with our developer, Camden Management Partners."

The Vernon Mills redevelopment project encompasses six parcels and when completed will have about 215 "workforce" and affordable apartments, some commercial space and site enhancements that will benefit all of Rockville. The project will also remove hazardous materials from the site, benefiting the project and surrounding neighborhoods.

Millions in federal and state aid have been pumped into the project.

"I appreciate the hard work of our state representatives, Kevin Brown, Jaime Foster and Tammy Nuccio, and state Sen. Jeff Gordon, Congressman Joe Courtney and state Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton, who visited the mill complex and took a special interest in this project,” Mayor Champagne said. “I also want to thank Deputy Mayor Maryann Levesque and the town council for their support as well.".

Lawmakers hailed the news of the grant.

"I'm grateful that the CIF Board has approved Vernon's application for the Daniel's Mill redevelopment project," Brown said. "This is the exact type of project the program exists to support, by helping revitalize an economically disadvantaged community. By cleaning up the mills site to allow for new affordable workforce housing and other economic opportunities, it will transform the gateway to Downtown Rockville for generations to come."

Said Gordon, “This is great news for Vernon and the Rockville community. Investing in the remediation and redevelopment of Daniel’s Mill is a major step forward for the continued revitalization of downtown Rockville. Projects like this help preserve historic sites while creating new opportunities for economic growth and community development."

Champagne said the project will be be the catalyst to transform the surrounding area, benefitting all of Vernon and the region.

"This grant is the final step forward in achieving Mayor Champagne's vision for the mills and Rockville," Town Administrator John W. Kleinhans said. "We now have the money we need to complete the cleanup of Daniels Mill. Thanks to this grant, and the federal, state and local support we have received, the future of downtown Rockville looks bright. I also want to thank Shaun Gately, Vernon’s director of development services, and our local partners for their hard work."

Added Champagne, "They represent an important part of Vernon’s history and my goal is to make them an important part of our future too. In the meantime, we continue to work with the state and federal government to help move this project forward."