WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today announced nearly $300,000 in federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for economic development and community improvements in her district. DeLauro worked to secure $198, 820 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley for the construction of a new club on Clifton Avenue in Ansonia and $99,410 for the Town of North Haven for streetscape improvements in the Montowese area.

“We must continually look for funding programs that provide improvements to our cities and towns, keeping them safe, thriving, and economically sound,” said DeLauro. “This HUD funding will make a great impact to the lives of boys and girls in Ansonia, who will now have a new recreational facility, and residents of the Town of North Haven, who will enjoy a renovated historic area.”

“This funding will help us get this $3.5 million project off the ground,” said Jack Ribas, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. “There is a tremendous need for after school activities for our children today, which Congresswoman DeLauro and Ansonia Mayor Della Volpe understand and have helped our organization address. I thank them for their efforts, which will make this 36,000 sq. ft facility go a long way to help all the children of the community. The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley offers recreational, cultural, educational, and physical programs to more than 500 children each day at its Shelton location. Coupled with the YMCA Day Care Program and the Fire Department's Museum, those numbers could be closer to 600 children per day at the Ansonia club.”

“We were most excited to learn of the recent approval by the Department of Housing and Urban Development of our streetscape project for the historic Montowese section of North Haven,” said Kevin Kopetz, First Selectman of the Town of North Haven. “This project has been designed to enhance a vital economic part of our community as well as to create a better link to Peter's Rock Open Space and Park. By so doing, we promote increased use of both the local businesses as well as all that Peter's Rock has to offer, thereby demonstrating that commercial and environmental uses can coexist when done appropriately. This could not be accomplished, however, without the support of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro who, once again, has shown that she is a tireless advocate for, and outstanding steward of, our Town and her district. We offer to Congresswoman DeLauro and her dedicated staff our heartfelt thanks for their efforts on our behalf.”

The funding is part of HUD’s Economic Development Initiative and was included in the appropriations process last year.