Hartford, CT—Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-4) announced $45,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund community projects addressing environmental and public health issues in Stamford and Bridgeport through the 2016 Healthy Communities Grant Program.

Charter Oak Communities was awarded $25,000 for their “Fairgate Farm Community Composting Initiative” project to educate Stamford’s West Side residents and businesses about composting by providing one-on-one outreach, hands-on composting demonstrations, and educational resources about the benefits of composting to educate residents, community partners, and volunteers.

The Center of Ecological Technology was awarded $20,000 for their “Don’t Waste Bridgeport” project, which seeks to reduce the quantity of wasted food by working with food generators in Bridgeport to reduce, donate, and compost as much leftover food as possible with the ultimate goal of reducing impact on the environment and getting food to residents in need.

“These well-deserved federal dollars will help make Stamford and Bridgeport healthier, cleaner communities—reducing environmental risks and improving quality of life for residents. This wise investment by the EPA is true testament to Charter Oak Communities and The Center of Ecological Technology’s commitment to finding innovative ways to better our communities, and we look forward to the benefits this funding will bring to Fairfield County,” said Blumenthal, Murphy, and Himes.

The Healthy Communities Grant Program combines resources from several EPA programs to strategically address the environmental and public health issues burdening New England communities by funding projects that will reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health, and improve the quality of life for communities and residents. This year, the EPA has awarded 12 grants across New England under its 2016 Healthy Communities Grant Program, totaling $270,566.

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