Education Funding, Small Town Grants, and Offshore Wind Deal

October 11, 2023


I'm pleased to announce that state grants are coming to our district to fund separate projects in Wilton and Ridgefield. Please read below to learn more about those investments.

There is also good news on the education front. Ridgefield High School is getting funding to expand its dual credit offerings. Meanwhile, all three school districts aced a recent report involving quality of education.

Finally, the state has entered a groundbreaking agreement on offshore wind with neighboring Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Keep scrolling to learn why this deal is so important.

Below you will find the following sections in today's email:

  • State Funds for Wilton and Ridgefield
  • Major Boost for Ridgefield High School
  • Best School Districts in Connecticut
  • Important Offshore Wind Updates for Connecticut
     
    State Funds for Wilton and Ridgefield

    60 communities in Connecticut, including Wilton and Ridgefield, are getting a boost from the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). Funds go to small towns for economic development community conservation, infrastructure improvements, quality-of-life capitol projects, and much more.

    Wilton is getting $500,000 in state funds for the police department storage facility. CLICK HERE to learn more about how they money will be used as part of the new police headquarters. The state investment will be matched by another $150,838 in town funds.
    Ridgefield is also receiving $500,000 in STEAP grants to replace the culvert on Mountain Road. This will be matched by $266,100 in town funds.
    Learn More About STEAP Grants
     
    Major Boost for Ridgefield High School
    The Connecticut State Department of Education awarded approximately $47,000 to Ridgefield Public Schools to expand dual credit offerings at the high school. This investment is part of a $3.8 million statewide investment to enable more high school students to earn college credits prior to graduation through partnerships formed between high schools and public and private colleges and universities.
    The funding will go toward:
    • expanding its programming through a new partnership with the University of Bridgeport
    • offering a concurrent dual enrollment opportunity in Personal Finance including “Insurance, Securities, and Investments,” “Banking Services,” and “Accounting Services”
    • enhancing course materials
    • granting access for all students to the FinTron software, which provides accredited, financial literacy guidance

    CLICK HERE to see Ridgefield’s Dual Credit Grant Application, which you will find on page 73.
     
    Best School Districts in Connecticut

    Many families move to the 42nd district because of our education, and a new report reinforces the strength of our schools. According to Niche.com, New Canaan, Wilton, and Ridgefield public schools all rank in the top 10 of best districts in the state. Education continues to be a priority across the 42nd district, and I will continue to advocate for our students.
    Click Here For In Depth Look at Local School Rankings
     
    Important Offshore Wind Updates for Connecticut

    The winds of change are blowing! Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island announced the first-of-its-kind effort in the United States to coordinate their offshore wind efforts, which opens up the potential to procure clean energy together at more competitive and affordable rates.
     
    The three states will work collaboratively to amplify all the benefits of offshore wind, which also include regional economic development opportunities, healthier communities, lower energy bills, and advantages to environmental justice populations and low-income ratepayers. 
    In addition to the multistate regional collaboration, Connecticut also announced its first-ever strategic roadmap for economic development in the offshore wind industry supported by a newly formed public-private nonprofit group of experts and stakeholders known as the Connecticut Wind Collaborative (CWC).
     
    Connecticut’s deepwater ports, direct water access, and long history of advanced manufacturing make it a natural hub for offshore wind development.
     
    Offshore wind is a vital part of the process geared toward providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy to Connecticut, which has a statutory target of 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2040 that we passed during the 2022 legislative session. The new collaborative and strategic roadmap will further the effort to reach that goal.