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.
CIF board approves $62.9M for 38 community development projects statewide
