Brownfield Funding Welcoming News

January 20, 2016

Meriden lawmakers lauded Governor Dannel P. Malloy announcement that Meriden will be awarded a state grant to develop plans for remediating and developing clusters of brownfield sites.

The $100,000 grant to complete a retail, arts, and cultural plan in the city, is being awarded through the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), part of the Brownfield Area-Wide Revitalization Grant Program (BAR Project) which was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law last summer.

“This announcement is welcomed news, as it shows the governor’s commitment to clean up and turn blighted areas into productive parcels that will not only enhance our community, but will also generate revenue,” said Rep. Hilda Santiago.

“I thank Governor Malloy for his support of this grant that will help complete this revitalization project that will spur economic activity in the city for years to come,” Rep. Buddy Altobello said.

Rep. Cathy Abercrombie said, “I am pleased to see this brownfield initiative moving forward as we are laying the ground work for a cleaner environment and improving the quality of life in Meriden. Everyone benefits from the refurbishing of these dilapidated areas around the state.”

Meriden is one of six Connecticut communities receiving brownfield remediation in this round of grants. The BAR grant program encourages communities to consider areas such as neighborhoods, downtowns, waterfront districts, or other sections with multiple brownfields and develop strategies to assess, clean up, and reuse the parcels for business, housing, and public amenities that will generate jobs and revenues and revitalize the entire area.