The more than $4 million from last year's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to revitalize a suburban Connecticut town will "jump start" the area's economic redevelopment and job creation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with federal and local officials, announced $4,050,000 to revitalize the greater Waterbury, Conn., area in a June 2 news release.
"Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden's leadership, EPA's Brownfields program is making a record investment of more than $4 million to revitalize sites throughout Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley," EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said in the news release. "Both the city of Waterbury and the council have earned EPA brownfields funding in the past and continue to run successful programs repurposing sites for redevelopment. Today's investment of EPA Brownfields assessment and cleanup funding will jump start economic redevelopment and job creation in an underserved community as we work to turn environmental risks into economic assets," he said.
The news release was issued jointly by Cash; EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe; U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; U.S. House Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.; Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary and Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments Executive Director Rick Dunne.
Waterbury will receive a site-specific assessment grant of $150,000 for the former button factory on South Main Street. Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments in Waterbury will receive $3.9 million "to supplement their successful revolving loan fund program which serves the Naugatuck Valley area," the news release said.
"This critical federal funding is a major investment in the Naugatuck Valley that will create jobs and help transform polluted land into economically viable and environmentally safe parcels that communities will use for years to come," Blumenthal said in the news release. "These much-needed awards assist our communities in protecting the health of residents, incentivizing economic growth and development, and improving the quality of life for all. I am proud to support this grant and will continue fighting for future funds for Connecticut."
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing "the single-largest investment" for brownfields infrastructure and more than $5 million has been secured for brownfields remediation in Connecticut's Third District, DeLauro said in the news release.
"Connecticut, and in particular the Naugatuck Valley, is home to some of the oldest industrial properties in the country," DeLauro said. "Remediating and redeveloping these sites is key to the economic growth of many of our communities. This is about keeping our neighborhoods sustainable, enhancing climate resiliency and protecting the people who call these communities home. As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I remain steadfast in my commitment to keep fighting for investments in brownfield remediation in Connecticut and across the country."
