Community Project Funding - FY2023

Projects:

 

Listed below is a summary of the fifteen projects Congresswoman DeLauro submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for FY 2023, along with quotes from the sponsoring organizations. Projects are listed in alphabetical order:

 

City of Ansonia:

  • This project will remove contaminated hazardous materials within the building and demolish the remaining structure and remove and dispose of all regulated materials throughout the SHW Casting Company.

“I am very grateful for the work Congresswoman DeLauro and the congressional staff have done to support our efforts to revitalize our long vacant and defunct factory buildings in the heart of our downtown. These sites were once the lifeblood of our communities. Rosa cares about our residents and it shows!” said City of Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti.

 

Town of Bethany:

  •  This project will renovate and upgrade the Bethany Town Hall building that is over 60 years old.

"Having Congressman DeLauro's support for this project increases the potential for this transformative effort to succeed," said Paula Cofrancesco, First Selectman of the Town of Bethany. "Without her support of this funding these renovations and upgrades on behalf of residents of the Town of Bethany would not be possible.

 

Town of Branford:

  • The Connecticut Hospice relocated in 2000 to a building formerly occupied by the Echlin Corporation for twenty years. Renovations at that time did not upgrade essential building infrastructure that has since become critical to operations of the Hospice inpatient facility and home care headquarters. The requested funding for improvements are exceptionally important during times of emergencies resulting from natural disaster so that CT Hospice does not have to relocate patients from its Branford headquarters.

“The Connecticut Hospice is deeply grateful for Congresswoman DeLauro’s Community Project Funding,” said Barbara Pearce. “It will provide for needed improvements and upgrades to our inpatient facility in Branford. The grant will support initiatives that will enable our hospice to remain as a pre-eminent institution in our field, and to continue our mission to patients and families.“

 

Town of Hamden:

  • The project will replace HVAC units and controls currently in service at the Town of Hamden Government Center to improve energy efficiency and reduce the Town's carbon footprint.

“Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro's support for energy efficiency upgrades to the Hamden Government Center will enable Hamden to make needed repairs that will improve the working conditions of Town employees and make for a more comfortable building for our residents to visit all while decreasing our impact on the environment. Without Rosa’s strong support, this would not be possible,” said Town of Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett.

 

Borough of Naugatuck:

  • This project will assist child care renovation and expansion to serve the community's needs.

“The Naugatuck YMCA is overjoyed with being chosen by Rosa DeLauro and her team.  We cannot thank her and her team enough for believing in the work that the Naugatuck YMCA is doing in our communities. We’re passionate in supporting families and individuals with everything from child care to swim lessons and everything in-between.  Support from this grant will allow the Y to bridge the gaps and focus on families and individuals primarily with child care,” said Naugatuck YMCA Chief Executive Officer Mark LaFortune.  

 

City of New Haven

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Inc. (DESK):

  • This project will provide services for people experiencing homelessness, including: daytime drop-in services with basic needs provision and onsite outreach and case management; healthcare services in a fully-equipped medical clinic staffed by Cornell Scott Hill Health Center's Homeless Healthcare Department; a commercial kitchen providing freshly prepared meals; and a new elevator and HVAC system.

"Through the Community Project Funding program, our agency will be able to quickly complete the renovations of our new Drop-in & Resource Center for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including the outfitting of a full medical clinic to serve unhoused individuals specifically," said Steve Werlin, Executive Director of Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen in New Haven. With more than 250 people living on the streets of our city, this new facility will provide immediate, lifesaving services alongside next-level services that will help people move beyond homelessness and toward overall stabilization and improved personal wellbeing, while alleviating a variety of public health concerns and freeing space in local emergency departments. As a result, it's an important benefit for the individuals we serve, as well as a major cost saver for the broader community," said Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen Executive Director Steve Werlin.

 

 Fair Haven Community Health Clinic:

  • The Fair Haven Community Health Care expansion project at 374 Grand Avenue will increase the availability of primary medical and behavioral health care for all, but especially the underserved, at risk and low income families who otherwise have no access to quality affordable health care. The proposed construction will be at the corner of James Street and Grand Avenue, the entryway to the Fair Haven neighborhood, adjacent to the existing health center. The existing facility is over 100 years old and no longer able to grow with the needs of the community. These funds will be used to support the design and construction of a new 33,500 square foot health center including exam rooms, lab, pharmacy and community meeting space; with additional space, we will be able to expand the number of clinicians and appointments currently available.

 “This award is a game changer for our community.  It will allow us to move forward with building a state-of-the-art health center both FOR and BY the community.  The lasting impact both socially and economically is immeasurable. Jobs with benefits and training programs will be created in expanding medical care and construction services.  Congresswoman DeLauro has dedicated her life to improving the lives of those less fortunate and this funding is but another resounding example of her empathy and compassion,” said Suzanne Lagarde MD MBA FACP, Chief Executive Officer Fair Haven Community Health Care 

 

Leadership, Education and Athletic in Partnership, Inc.:

  • This project will include construction and capital improvements to the 100-year-old LEAP Roslyn Milstein Meyer Community Center at 31 Jefferson Street serving New Haven's young people.

 "We are grateful for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s support for LEAP and our city’s children. This Omnibus legislation allows our historic 100-year-old community center to thrive for another 100 years but greener, more accessible, and with even more robust opportunities for youth and families. By addressing critical repairs and maintenance needs, this investment ensures that young people will grow into the leaders we know they are. Thank you to Rosa, her hard-working team, Senators Blumenthal and Murphy and the whole Connecticut congressional delegation for standing up for kids and our neighborhoods!" said LEAP Executive Director Henry Fernandez.

 

Wilbur Cross High School:

  • This project will upgrade and expand the athletic complex at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, CT. Design and operation of the campus will be primarily for high school students with general community access during non-school use times, consisting with citywide protocol for open school and facilities.

 "These funds will help support the refurbishment of the outdoor athletic fields at Wilbur Cross High School – New Haven's largest public school – and will be a tremendous benefit for the school community and the entire city at-large," said City of New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. "Students and residents will soon have the opportunity to enjoy updated athletic fields for a variety of sports and recreational activities, serving as an wonderful recreational resource for years to come.   

 

 Town of North Haven:

  • This project will restore and renovate the Martha Culver House/Museum to make the property accessible for residents of North Haven and the greater New Haven region to attend and learn about the history of North Haven.

 “We are very thankful for the efforts of our Congresswoman, Rosa DeLauro, for helping the town of North Haven be awarded $600,000 for our Martha Culver House. The Martha Culver House is part of a rich heritage here in town and this money will allow us to refurbish the interior of this historical building and turn the building into a museum and gathering place where children can do field trips to visit, and where our senior citizens and our residents can visit to enjoy the historical aspect of North Haven’s past. We are very grateful,” said Town of North Haven First Selectman Mike Freda.

 

 Town of Middlefield:

  • This project will provide funding for a central facility from which leaders can coordinate and direct emergency efforts and is essential for emergency response and recovery. Currently, the town has no Emergency Operation Center for coordination of police, fire, medical, and incident management resources.

 “The Town of Middlefield is so thankful to receive this grant of $2.22 million for an Emergency Operations Center.  This grant goes a long way toward funding what is one of the largest projects our town has ever undertaken.  There is broad support in our community for this project to replace our 50 year old fire house with a modern emergency operations center.   Middlefield is a small rural community supported by many volunteers, including our 45 volunteer firefighters.  Representative Rosa DeLauro’s ongoing and continued support of Middlefield’s numerous volunteers is invaluable to the success of our community.” said First Selectman Bob Yamartino.

 

City of Milford:

Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) Coastal Center at Milford Point

  • This project will enable the expansion of CAS's hands-on school, afterschool, and summer science enrichment programs that support teachers in implementing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in a multidisciplinary format. This support would enable the expansion of this program across K-5 grades, provide afterschool and summer science enrichment programs, and expand the high school/college mentorship/career training program that CAS launched in 2021 in Norwalk schools.

 “We are honored and grateful that Congresswoman DeLauro selected our Modernization and Technology Enhancement Project at the Milford Point Coastal Center for funding,” said Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins. “This project will let us expand hands-on school, afterschool, and summer science enrichment programs. Those programs support teachers as they implement Next Generation Science Standards in a multidisciplinary format. The Coastal Center will serve as a teacher training hub supporting education programs across four additional Connecticut Audubon regions and centers. Congresswoman DeLauro understands the needs our students, and the community, have for science education and access to nature. Connecticut Audubon is pleased and proud to answer these needs.”

 

Town of Seymour and Beacon Falls: 

  • This project will install and construct a road and all infrastructure needed to support economic development of nearly 200 acres of land located along Route 8 and the Waterbury Rail Line.

 “This critical funding for Seymour and Beacon Falls is the springboard for what will be the largest public private partnership in the Valley, spurring retail and economic growth in the Valley. We are grateful to Congresswoman DeLauro and the congressional delegation for recognizing the importance of this project for Seymour and the entire Valley,” said Town of Seymour First Selectwoman Anne Drugonis.

 

Town of Stratford:

  • This project will provide Flood Protection Measures for the Stratford Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). The upgraded piping and pumping would increase the capacity of the station to pump treated effluent during storm events. Specifically, federal funding would enable the Town of Stratford to refortify an existing dike around the WPCF, upgrade stormwater piping and upgrade the stormwater pump station all to prevent open flows of untreated sewage that result from flooding.

 “We are thrilled to receive $4,135,622 to support Flood Protection Measures at Stratford’s Water Pollution Control Facility. As a costal municipality at the base of the Housatonic River we face challenges with flooding that span the entire town. This investment from our federal government will greatly enhance our mitigation efforts here in Stratford and we appreciate Congresswoman DeLauro’s support in securing this funding,” said Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick.

 

Town of Wallingford:

  • This project will assist Aquatics Center addition to the Wallingford Family YMCA- West Side Branch to teach swim lessons, water therapy, Parkinson water classes, water aerobics, member and community lap swim, competitive swimming, family time, water polo and more.

 "Our ‘Just add Water' Aquatics Center vision is to inspire the community to achieve their goals as a first time swimmer, water therapy participant, or competitive athlete," said Executive Director of Wallingford Family YMCA Sean Doherty. "Our pools provide the opportunity to strengthen the body, while building character. Our pools are a place where the Greater Wallingford Community can come together and will change the lives of everyone, as no one is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. On behalf of the Wallingford Family YMCA Board of Directors, staff, members and participants we thank Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and her office for their support of our vision to ‘Just Add Water'!"