Legislators Praise $2 Million State Brownfield Remediation Grant for Economic Development

Members of the New Britain state legislative delegation applauded Gov Ned Lamont, who recently approved $2 million in Brownfield Remediation and Development Program for New Britain Business Park located at 221 South Street.

Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Manny Sanchez (D-25) praised the allocation for New Britain, part of an overall allocation of $18.8 million for different locations in the state.

Rep DeFronzo said that, “Helping the city redevelop our old industrial properties has been a priority of the New Britain delegation. These properties are a resource for the city, but they are expensive to rehab.”

Rep Sanchez added, “This is a large parcel of land in the south end of town. Revitalizing it has the potential to bring jobs and business to the area and add value to the neighborhood.”

“Old, polluted, blighted properties that have sat vacant for decades do nothing to stimulate our economy, grow jobs, and support housing growth,” said Lamont about the overall statewide grants.

“Our brownfield redevelopment efforts continue to produce great results,” added state Economic and Community Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe.

The legislators’ offices noted that,

A brownfield is defined as any abandoned or underutilized site where redevelopment, reuse or expansion has not occurred due to the presence or potential presence of pollution in the buildings, soil or groundwater that requires investigation or remediation before or in conjunction with the redevelopment, reuse or expansion of the property. DECD’s Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) provides financial and technical assistance to municipalities, brownfield owners, and potential developers.

“We’re very happy that Governor Lamont and DECD decided to make the redevelopment of the New Britain Business Park a priority,” Rep Sanchez said.