The White House has put up $1.15 million to improve East Hartford’s Riverside Drive to stimulate job growth and investment along the corridor. It also will ease access to UConn home football games.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced the grant to the town for improvements to Riverside Drive, a key access way to Goodwin College and Rentschler Stadium, home to the University of Connecticut football team and The Colonials of the United Football League.
The investment is expected to create 185 jobs and generate up to $90 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates, Locke said in a statement.
East Hartford’s status as a “distressed municipality” due to job losses in manufacturing and insurance. qualified it for the funding, authorities said.
 “The Obama administration is committed to job growth and business development, and this grant will fund vital transportation infrastructure needed in the East Hartford community,” Locke said.
Congressman John E. Larson, (D-1st District), who acknowledges pressing The White House on the need for economic development funding for his home region, which includes greater Hartford, hailed the grant award.
Goodwin President Mark Scheinberg said his school spent last summer more than $150,000 of its own money on temporary repairs to Riverside Drive, and has committed $300,000 more to the required match for the grant.
