WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $1,184,000 in federal grants for assessment, clean-up and redevelopment contaminated brownfield properties across Connecticut. The grants, funded by EPA’s Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grant program, will boost local economies and create jobs while protecting public health and the environment.

“Too many of our communities are held back by old, abandoned industrial sites,” said the delegation. “These federal grants will provide important seed money to help our local communities clean up and redevelop brownfield sites, which will mean new opportunities for economic growth and good jobs. We’re proud to announce these critical investments today, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to keep fighting for more funding for brownfields across Connecticut.”

“EPA’s Brownfields program has helped assess abandoned or derelict properties in communities across the region, cleaning them so they can return to productive use,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “When we put a dollar into brownfields, the community gets back $17 in the jobs and economic opportunities. Cleaning and revitalizing contaminated sites not only makes our communities cleaner, it also makes economic sense.”

The following municipalities and organizations received federal funding: 

  • Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments: $400,000 for assessment
  • City of Shelton: $200,000 for clean-up
  • City of Norwich: $384,000 for assessment
  • Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board: $200,000 for job training