Nearly $63 million in state funding has been approved for 38 community development projects across Connecticut, supporting initiatives ranging from affordable housing and workforce training to park upgrades and health care facilities.
The funding was approved Tuesday by the board that oversees the state’s Community Investment Fund 2030 program.
Approved by state lawmakers in 2021, the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board has a mandate to distribute up to $875 million in grants over a five-year period for community-building and economic development efforts in distressed municipalities.
Tuesday’s vote marked the program’s eighth round of funding.
Among the largest grants approved was $7 million for Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County to build a new Head Start facility in Stamford that will consolidate programs and expand early childhood education services.
Two projects will receive $6 million each: demolition of the St. John Towers property in Stamford to prepare the site for affordable housing redevelopment, and the conversion of the 111 Founders Plaza office tower in East Hartford into residential apartments, which is part of the broader Port Eastside redevelopment.
Higher education projects also received significant funding. The University of New Haven was awarded $5 million to renovate a former Railroad Salvage property in West Haven into a Center for Innovation and Applied Technology focused on workforce training and industry partnerships. The University of Bridgeport will receive $3.2 million to renovate Cortright Hall.
Several awards target housing and neighborhood redevelopment. Sound Communities in Norwalk will receive $3 million to develop transit-oriented senior housing near the South Norwalk train station, while the town of Vernon will receive $2.5 million to remediate the former Daniel’s Mill site and prepare it for housing and commercial development.
Health care and community service providers were also among the recipients. Optimus Health Care in Bridgeport was awarded $2.4 million to renovate medical and dental facilities, and the city of Meriden will receive $2 million to upgrade space for its One Stop Health and Human Services building.
Other grants support smaller capital projects and planning initiatives across the state.
Demand for the funding remains high. Officials said the latest round drew 118 eligible applications seeking about $438 million, far exceeding the amount available for grants.
Grants approved by the CIF board still require final approval from the state Bond Commission.
