Brady PieperConnecticut is considering awarding grants for dozens of capital improvement projects across the state, including $10 million to advance a mall redevelopment in the town of Enfield.
The state’s Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 Board is approving 35 grants in the sixth round of awards, which will deliver over $77 million in state funding to local and regional municipalities. The grants, which still require final approval by the State Bond Commission, look to transform local communities and infrastructure while expanding economic opportunities for residents and businesses.
Established in 2021, CIF 2030 is authorized by the state to approve up to $875 million in grants over five years. The fund opens funding opportunities on several occasions annually to address new and existing projects around the state.
In this sixth round, the largest proposed grant, $10 million, will benefit Enfield through a redevelopment project at Enfield Square Mall. In tandem, the town will contribute approximately $16 million in tax concessions to the revitalization effort.
Enfield’s project, developed in partnership with Woodsonia Acquisitions, LLC, seeks to install critical new infrastructure and create a new mixed-use space. The new mall, which would be called the Enfield marketplace, would feature approximately 300,000 square feet of new retail space and acres of new apartments, restaurants and businesses, in addition to existing offerings.
Among the other proposed grants, some of the highest-funded CIF projects are as follows:
- $8 million for the town of Plainfield – Grant funding will support the renovation and expansion of the Family Resource Center, creating a comprehensive community hub. The new facility will feature a recreational area for local youth and families.
- $6.1 million to the Greater Dwight Development Corporation, Inc. in New Haven – The project will focus on addressing systemic inequities in local food systems by developing a county-wide food hub.
- $5 million for the city of Danbury – The grant would support the second phase of the Downtown Danbury Revitalization project, which seeks to enhance pedestrian features and streetscapes on a variety of streets and roads.
- $4.9 million to the Access Community Action Agency in Killingly – CIF funding will be used to renovate the St. Alban Church with expanded office space, an upgraded food pantry, improved access to the emergency shelter and repurposed spaces for affordable housing.
- $4.9 million for the city of Norwich – The project will reconstruct Fontaine Field and replace the existing field with synthetic turf. The project will also enlarge a parking area and improve accessibility from the Rose City Senior Center.
- $4 million for the city of New London – Partnering with the Garde Arts Center, the project will renovate and expand Mercer Community Hall to include affordable event spaces, arts and workforce opportunities and activity retention.
- $4 million for the city of Waterbury – CIF funding will support the Downtown Streetscape and Utility Improvements Project, which seeks to address aging infrastructure, grow economic opportunities and promote energy and environmental justice.
While approval by the fund’s board reflects the state’s efforts, all CIF grants require final approval by the State Bond Commission prior to awarding and distribution to municipalities. Barring cancellation, the commission will gather for the first meeting of the year on March 28.
The CIF board will open the seventh round of funding on April 28 and invite eligible municipalities to apply, such as community development corporations, not-for-profit organizations and designated public investment communities or alliance districts.
As part of the CIF’s March meeting, the seventh round and future application periods may be extended from six to eight weeks to lighten the load on staff and to close the round prior to the board’s June meeting.
The investment board will also open one more application period in 2025, round eight. The proposed timeline for this round will include a notice of funding on Oct. 27, the closure of the application period on Dec. 5 and the finalization of CIF board recommendations in March 2026.
Government Market News has reached out to the State Bond Commission for more information regarding final approval for these CIF grants but has not yet received a response. This story may be updated as more information is released.
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
