North Canaan

A move is afoot to restore regional tourism district funding, but in Connecticut's uncertain fiscal climate, attraction owners and tourism officials aren't relying on the state for support and have devised other ways to draw visitors.

A pair of Litchfield County farms are the latest entrants into the state's farmland preservation program, authorities say.

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection awarded $129,093 through 15 grants to encourage tree planting and tree management throughout the state.

The state will award $5.3 million in grants to 17 towns for capital improvements to roads, sidewalks, buildings and parks, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office announced.

Connecticut awarded $11.9 million in grants to provide or ugrade affordable housing and boot-strap economic development in 26 communities, authorities say.