Redding's Wire Mill Site Receives State Environmental Cleanup Grant

REDDING, CT — The Town of Redding is the recipient of a $200,000 state grant to complete site investigation at the former Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill at 1 North Main Street.

The investigation will determine the type and extent of contaminants on the 44-acre site.

The grant, announced Thursday, is part of $23.8 million in state funding targeted to remediate 480 acres of land across 22 properties in 15 towns and cities across Connecticut and put them back into productive use, according to a news release from the Governor's Office.

The funds are being released through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. These state investments are expected to leverage approximately $862 million in private funding, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

Brownfields are properties, often abandoned or underused, that may contain contaminated soil, buildings and/or groundwater. Redevelopment of such sites can not happen before the contamination is remediated.

"It makes no sense to have old, polluted, blighted properties sitting vacant for decades when we could be using this land to grow new businesses and create new housing," Lamont said.

The selected projects are targeted at those that will boost economic development and job growth, as well as those that will aid in the development of new housing. In total, the projects are expected to create approximately 915 jobs and 811 units of housing, including 223 affordable units, according to Lamont.