Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces $7 Million in Federal Grants for Environmental Cleanup and Economic Revitalization
Hartford, CT – Today, members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation announced nearly $7 million in federal Brownfields Grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Connecticut communities.
“Brownfields funding has supported the revitalization of former industrial areas and the cleanup of contaminated sites across our state for three decades, historically with strong, bipartisan support,” said Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01). “Our entire delegation has worked together to ensure these investments continue, boosting funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 and writing to the Trump Administration earlier this year when they unilaterally suspended $8.6 million in approved funds for Connecticut’s brownfield remediation sites. I’m pleased to join with my colleagues and the Environmental Protection Agency today to announce continued investments we secured together through this program for environmental cleanup and economic revitalization, including at sites in Hartford and Torrington. I remain committed to working with the Administration to create good-paying jobs in our region and protect the health and safety of our residents.”
“This $7 million in federal funding will help revitalize Connecticut’s communities, transforming hazardous sites into opportunities. Brownfields threaten our environment and hamper local economic development efforts, but this substantial investment will make an invaluable impact in cleaning up the mistakes of the past and building a more sustainable future,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.
“Great to see another round of federal dollars—which were funded by Congress last year—coming back to Connecticut to assess and clean up abandoned and blighted properties. Approval of these hard -won grants is a true testament to our communities’ eagle eye focus on securing funds to support economic and community development,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02). “There’s no question that the federal infrastructure law is turbocharging these investments to transform polluted land to economic hubs. This new round of funding brings the total investment for brownfield grants in CT-02 to well-over $10 million through the federal infrastructure law in just three years.”
“Connecticut has made meaningful progress in transforming former industrial sites into vibrant, productive spaces that benefit our residents, environment, and economy,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). “These EPA Brownfields Grants not only safeguard the environment, but will continue to drive investment, job creation, and economic resilience in our communities.”
“The $7 million in Brownfield Grants Connecticut will receive this year will significantly aid our state’s efforts to remediate contaminated properties and former industrial sites to restore them to land once again suitable for use,” said Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04). “I’m especially excited that the City of Bridgeport will receive an additional $1 million to continue cleaning up properties around the city and I look forward to visiting the rehabilitated land once the projects are completed.”
“People in Connecticut deserve to live in a clean and safe environment. The deterioration of industrial sites and the prevalence of distressed properties inflict the greatest hardship on children and families in surrounding communities. These areas face significant barriers to economic progress and an elevated risk of long-term health problems. This funding will provide crucial support for the Naugatuck Valley and Greater Hartford regions, aiding remediation efforts and helping to transform them into centers of opportunity,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
“DEEP congratulates the Capitol Region, Metropolitan, Naugatuck Valley, and Southeastern Councils of Governments on earning EPA brownfield grants. We are also proud to receive a $2 million Community-Wide Assessment Grant for Connecticut,” said Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner, Katie Dykes. “This funding will promote the cleanup of contaminated sites, turning long-abandoned properties into community assets that support public health, environmental safety, and economic development. It’s a win for cleaner neighborhoods, stronger local economies, and a more affordable, vibrant future.”
“The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG) is thrilled to receive this $1.2 million EPA Brownfield Assessments Coalition Grant, which will allow SECOG to address potential contaminated properties in our region,” said Amanda Kennedy, SECOG Executive Director. “This funding is not just an investment in environmental assessment at brownfield properties – it’s an investment in the region’s economy, giving local communities a voice in shaping the future of these sites. We’re proud to partner with the Eastern Connecticut Land Bank and the Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development District as we work collaboratively with SECOG communities to turn these underutilized properties into assets for their communities.”
The federal funding announced today includes:
$2 million for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, to conduct approximately twelve environmental site assessments, including abandoned mills and manufacturing facilities in New London, Norwich, Plainfield, and Sprague
$2 million for the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, for cleanup projects including the Excelsior Plant and the Torrington and E. Farrel Corporation property in Ansonia
$1.2 million for the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, to conduct approximately eight environmental site assessments
$1 million for the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments for cleanup projects, including the Connecticut Sports Group property and the Davidson Block in Bridgeport
$750,000 for the Capital Region Council of Governments, for cleanup projects, including a Data Center in Hartford and the Collinsville Axe Factory in Canton.
View the full list of selected applicants HERE. Learn more about the EPA’s Brownfields Program HERE.
Today’s announcement follows $9 million in federal funding the delegation announced last year with President Biden from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Connecticut while advancing environmental justice.
After President Trump took office in January, $8.6 million in funding for thirteen Connecticut projects was suspended by the EPA. The Connecticut delegation wrote to the President demanding the immediate reversal of this decision, and funding was restored.