State Representative Leeper Celebrates STEAP Grants For Fairfield

September 21, 2022

(HARTFORD, CT)State Representative Jennifer Leeper (D-Fairfield) is proud to announce that the town of Fairfield has been awarded grant funding through the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP).

Fairfield is one of 77 Connecticut towns that received grant funding from this program. STEAP aim to provide small towns with the necessary funding for various infrastructure projects. The town is set to receive $500,000 for sidewalk improvements along Round Hill Rd. Fairfield will match the grant by $111,298.60.

State Representative Leeper said, " Sidewalks are a vital part of improving our community safety and connectivity. These improvements along Round Hill Rd offer huge quality of life improvements by connecting the neighborhood, Fairfield University, and Post Rd making the entire area of town safer to walk. Thank you to Governor Lamont for your support and thank you to the neighbors and town officials who worked tirelessly on this entire process from collecting signatures to completing the application for this grant.

Governor Lamont said, “This road safety project in Fairfield will not only make these neighborhoods safer by becoming more pedestrian-friendly but it will increase the overall quality-of-life in the town, making it an even better place to live and do business. I’m glad that the state can partner with the Town of Fairfield to get this project done.”

Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda L. Kupchick said, “Investing in a pedestrian friendly Fairfield has been a priority for my administration which is why we recently commissioned an engineering consultant report detailing the condition and construction characteristics of sidewalks throughout Fairfield that would benefit from rehabilitation. The project we received STEAP funding for will install, repair and replace sidewalks in Fairfield with a focus on Round Hill Road from Barlow Road to the Post Road (US 1) and Reef Road from Nichols Street to Fairfield Beach Road. This project will fill in gaps, provide a continuous pedestrian gateway to downtown from important locations, and update other sidewalks leading to the downtown area, with emphasis on Reef Road, a key artery connecting the beach and popular residential neighborhoods to the downtown.

Any time a resident or visitor opts to walk, or to combine walking with public transportation as an alternative to using a car, we all enjoy a positive environmental impact and a boost to community health and wellness."

In total, $31.3 million in grant money was allocated to towns throughout the state. The funding to support STEAP grants was approved during the March State Bond Commission meeting. Towns will soon receive official award notification and instructions from the Office of Policy Management. 

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