Gary Turco

Newington is among the 94 towns across the state to receive state funding through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). Funding for this round totaled over $11 million.

This grant will help fund upgrades to the Newington Senior and Disabled Center to make it a more efficient building without overburdening taxpayers. I am thankful Governor Lamont reinstated the program to support small municipalities and generate economic activity during these unprecedented times.

Newington's share equals $128,200 and will be used to replace windows at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center. The Town of Newington will match the STEAP grant by $386,800.

This is the first time since 2016 that the state has awarded STEAP funding.

In July, the Governor reinstated the program to support towns during the period of fiscal instability caused by the pandemic and implemented a special COVID-19 provision to prioritize towns with expenditures related to their ongoing response to the pandemic, including for new construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement of existing facilities.

The program was established in 2001 to fund economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects in municipalities ineligible for Urban Action bonds. The program is coordinated by the Office of Policy and Management and grants are administered by state agencies. Additional information is available on the OPM web site.