Rep. Rojas Secures State Bond Money For Projects In East Hartford And Manchester

June 1, 2018

Rep. Jason Rojas, a key member of the State Bond Commission, on Friday led the East Hartford and Manchester legislative delegations in securing the Commission’s approval of $20 million worth of grants-in-aid for development and job-creation projects in the towns.

Rojas, as the House chairman of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, worked with his legislative colleagues, Sen. Tim Larson and Representatives Henry Genga and Jeff Currey, to obtain the grants.

“We all worked hard to get this funding for projects important for East Hartford and Manchester,” Rojas (D-East Hartford, Manchester) said. “The funding will increase economic and business development, create new jobs and housing, and improve infrastructure. Development along our riverfront will complement the commercial and residential growth that has taken place on the Hartford side of the Connecticut River and contribute to the vibrancy of the region. Silver Lane has been a concern for our community and this critical funding will jumpstart preparation of the corridor for future development opportunities as envisioned by Mayor Leclerc and the work of the Silver Lane Advisory Committee.”

“This is another example of how Connecticut is focused on growing our economy and providing jobs for the people who live in our state,” Sen. Larson (D-East Hartford) said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Bond Commission to ensure that all towns in the 3rd Senatorial District have a healthy influx of resources.”

“I am pleased with the funding of these two job-creating and economic activity supporting projects in East Hartford – this is a testament to legislators working together to effectively represent their constituents and to advance measures that improve our quality of life,” Rep. Genga (D-East Hartford) said.

“The East Hartford delegation appreciates the governor and members of the Bond Commission who worked for these grants,” Rep. Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, Manchesster) said. “QuEST is a great partner and the additional jobs are a benefit to our local economy, while a new Founders Plaza parking garage will be a significant improvement allowing for the potential for additional development along the riverfront.”

The State Bond Commission approved:

  • $500,000 grant-in-aid for East Hartford for preliminary design of a parking garage on East River Drive, adjacent to Founders Plaza, in East Hartford. The new garage will replace surface parking and an existing, undersized garage allowing for riverfront redevelopment and the creation of housing
  • $4 million grant-in-aid to QuEST Global Services – NA, Inc. to assist in acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements at its facilities in East Hartford, Middletown and Windsor. The company will retain 578 jobs and create up to 225 new jobs
  • $3.5 million grant-in-aid to CHR Capital Inc. for development of Promise House supportive housing for homeless youth in Manchester. The project will contain 13 income restricted rental units
  • $12 million grant-in-aid to East Hartford for public infrastructure improvements for redevelopment of the Silver Lane and Rentschler Field corridor. This funding will be used for property acquisition, demolition and remediation to advance redevelopment efforts