Eight Hartford area communities are getting $3.1 million in federal grants to upgrade public housing and other community facilities, the governor’s office says.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Thursday the money is part of approximately $14 million earmarked to 35 Connecticut towns under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.
The federal program is administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.
“In a time when local budgets are tight and towns have little, if any, funding available for community projects, we want to help in any way we can,” Rell said in a statement. “These grants are an essential tool — a lifeline — for our communities.”
Among the Hartford area towns getting block-grant aid:
Ellington – $500,000 to continue its regional housing rehab for the towns of Ellington, Suffield and Somers.
Farmington – $300,000 to correct substandard conditions and incorporate energy efficient/Energy Star technologies in 12 low- and moderate-income housing units.
Plainville – $300,000 to rehabilitate and address code violations and energy upgrades for of 12 to 15 homes.
Vernon – $250,000 to reconstruct Prospect Street, which includes resetting of granite stone curbs, installing new concrete sidewalks, building new driveway ramps, improving drainage and replacing catch basins.
Wethersfield – $600,000 to renovate the Harvey Fuller Senior Housing complex by making drainage and parking lot improvements, replacing the roof and improving accessibility.
Windsor – $350,000 for energy improvements at the Fitch Court Apartments, a 40-unit low-income complex. The project includes replacement of the existing “chiller tower,” new entry doors, new hot water heaters, and the replacement of approximately 70 hot-water heat source pumps.
