Kara Rochelle

I hope this message finds you and yours well.

I'm excited to announce that $540,000 in state funds has been awarded to Ansonia to address two pedestrian bridges located at the former Ansonia Copper & Brass industrial complex, 75 Liberty St, and SHW/Farrell Building site, 35 North Main Street. These funds were awarded through Connecticut's Transit-Oriented Development Grant Program to restore or demolish two pedestrian bridges This award will help with continued redevelopment efforts on these sites adjacent to Ansonia's downtown.

We are making real progress to transform Ansonia and the Lower Valley into a destination for people to live, work, play, and thrive. I want to thank Governor Ned Lamont for being a great partner and for choosing to invest in revitalizing the Lower Valley. I also want to thank staff at the state Department of Transportation and Office of Policy and Management, Mayor Cassetti, and city officials, as well as my partner in advocacy, Senator Jorge Cabrera. Through this team effort, we secured funds that will enhance the quality of life for our residents and advance our shared goal of moving Ansonia forward

This effort is part of a larger strategy by state officials to transform the economic future of Ansonia, Derby, and the Lower Valley.
 
The $540,000 award builds upon state and federal funding that I, Sen. Cabrera, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro previously secured over the past two years to remediate the Ansonia Copper and Brass complex and the adjacent SHW/Farrel building site:

• $500,000 in state funds in 2020 for the environmental clean-up and demolition of the SHW/Farrel site;
• $1,000,000 in state funds in 2021 for the environmental clean-up of the SHW/Farrel site;
• $2,000,000 in state funds in 2021 for the strategic future redevelopment of the 175,000-square-foot Ansonia Copper and Brass extrusion mill;
• $200,000 in state funds in 2022 for an anticipated additional assessment and planning after the SHW/Farrel building is demolished.
• $2,900,000 that U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro secured in July 2022 to aid the demolition of the SHW/Farrel building
• $6,500,000 in state funds for the restoration of an access bridge at the Ansonia Copper & Brass industrial complex

The Ansonia Copper and SHW/Farrel properties make up a majority of the 100+ acres of developable space, representing a monumental opportunity to achieve significant economic growth and revitalization for the region.
 
The parcel of land is located in the heart of downtown Ansonia and is within walking distance of the Ansonia station of the Waterbury Rail Line. In July, the line realized increased service as a result of a $1.2 million state investment which I fought for during her first term. The governor included these funds in his January 2021 budget proposal. A new modernized train station for Ansonia is currently in the design phase with funds already approved by the state Department of Transportation. The design work is anticipated to be completed this December.

He also fills in teaching as needed for the Valley Manufacturing Training Program we opened in conjunction with Housatonic Community College, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and The WorkPlace last year. It's amazing to have such talent not only in our community but teaching locally as well. You can read more about Lovell Hunter here.

Today's homes burn faster than ever and there may be as little as 2 minutes or less to safely escape a house fire. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and how to create your family's Home Safety Action Plan, please click here.

Millions of government and private, non-profit employees have federal student loans and may now be eligible for loan forgiveness or additional credit toward forgiveness under these time-limited PSLF changes. 

Under the limited PSLF waiver, borrowers could receive credit for payments that did not qualify for PSLF or Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF). When the waiver ends on October 31, the normal program requirements for PSLF and TEPSLF will be implemented. 

To learn more and to find out if you're eligible for this program, please click the button below.

Last year, I proudly supported a law that requires the state Department of Economic and Community Development to establish a workforce development pipeline for individuals with disabilities. The program would take steps to address barriers individuals with disabilities often face in the workforce. 

Connecticut offers many resources to ensure people with disabilities have full access to employment and involvement in their communities. Helpful career resources and supports are accessible in-person and virtually through the following:

• The Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers. Appointments are recommended. More information is available here.
• The state’s CTHires portal, which serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training. Learn more here. 
• Additional job fairs are scheduled frequently across Connecticut. For a full schedule, click here.

Other services that may be useful include:

• The Kennedy Center offers travel training to residents with disabilities and seniors who wish to become more independent. This program is free for all participants.
• The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services are piloting an initiative to improve independence and accessibility for public transit users who have low or no vision. The Aira app provides no-cost instant access to a live Aira agent who can assist transit users who are blind or have low vision with navigation, reading signs and menus, and managing other essential travel components. More information is available here.
• The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services provides assistance to help navigate federal benefits and paid employment. For more information, click here.
• The Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative – a collaborative program of several state agencies – provides assistance to help workplaces support employees. More information is available here.

In recent years, our state has implemented a number of reforms to provide more support and protection to domestic violence victims and survivors. Among these is a 2021 law that expanded the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. Coercive control is a pattern or behavior that can use threatening, intimidation, or exploitation to trap individuals in abusive relationships.

This expanded definition recognizes intimate partner violence can be more than physical abuse – it can take shape as emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse. This measure will help make the process of filing for restraining orders, divorce, child custody, and other family court matters easier for victims and survivors. It would also create a new legal aid program to provide legal representation for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
 
To support and help victims and survivors of domestic violence visit CTSafeConnect.org or call or text (888) 774-2900. Help is available 24/7. 

Veterans and first responders can get one free Margaritaville at Sea cruise. As part of its "Heroes Sail Free Program," the Bahamas cruise line will waive the cost of one voyage per year for active or veteran U.S. military members, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, nurses, teachers, and government employees as long as they are traveling with a paying companion. 

This new perk will begin on October 12 and will apply to 3-day, 2-night voyages on the 658-cabin Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ship. The ship sails from the Port of Palm Beach in Florida to Grand Bahama Island. Fees and tips are not included. 

To learn more about the program and details on how to book a cruise, please click here.

Childcare program operators will be required to apply for the funds and then disburse the payments to their childcare staff. The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood will contact eligible childcare programs and provide them with additional information. Click here to learn more.

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

All my Best,

Kara Rochelle
State Representative