Vernon's Daniels Mill Cleanup Project Getting New Grant: Courtney

VERNON, CT — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) Monday announced that federal aid had been dedicated to the cleanup of a vintage mill building in Vernon through the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfield Cleanup and Assessment Grants program.

Courtney said the local "investment" was made possible by the new "Infrastructure Law," the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 1319), which he voted to pass in October 2021. The Infrastructure Law has made available $1.5 billion over five years to help turn eligible brownfield sites across the U.S. into "hubs of economic growth and job creation," Courtney said.

Vernon is set to receive $650,000 to help revitalize the Daniels Mill in the Rockville section of town. The federal grant comes on the heels of a $2 million state commitment for the cleanup last year.

"This EPA grant to help cover cleanup costs at Daniels Mill is a key step forward in our effort to restore the gateway to Rockville, develop housing and commercial space and get the properties back on the tax rolls," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. "This is a true example of federal, state and local government coming together to move Vernon forward. This combined effort is essential to seeing this project through to a successful completion."

Courtney echoed those sentiments.

"Today's announcement of new EPA funding to support our towns comes straight from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I voted to pass in the House last October. These grants will help clean up three eligible brownfields in the second district that otherwise would have languished for years," Courtney said. "Cleaning up brownfield sites is particularly important to eastern Connecticut, with its long industrial history. Unlocking these sites will go a long way to catalyze economic development, and funding from the IIJA means that our towns are actually going to create space for economic activity and recreation that will help keep eastern Connecticut growing and thriving."

The Second Congressional District is set to receive a total of nearly $2 million in brownfield cleanup funding in all.