SE Connecticut News

NORWICH, CT – On July 3, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) visited brownfield sites in East Hampton to tout a new $500,000 federal grant he helped secure that will allow the community take steps to transform the property for future economic expansion.

The grant, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was secured through the federal Infrastructure Law in 2021, which Rep. Courtney helped to pass. The Brownfield Assessment Grant will be used to assess the property and determine if it qualifies for additional funding opportunities that would go towards revitalizing the land.

“Economic growth in East Hampton and in many communities across eastern Connecticut is stymied by abandoned properties contaminated from prior use. This $500,000 federal investment in East Hampton will help the town take initial steps to transform abandoned property into residential and business opportunities, thanks EPA’s Brownfield Program. I applaud the leadership of Town Manager David Cox and the Chair of East Hampton’s Brownfield Redevelopment Agency, Ryan Baldassario, for their persistence and leadership in securing this funding,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “This new federal grant is an excellent example of the federal infrastructure law once again creating new opportunities in our communities.”

“Thanks to this federal investment, East Hampton has a great opportunity to continue transforming blighted land into meaningful business, housing, and community space. We are grateful for Congressman Courtney’s work to secure this funding and look forward to our continued partnership to see this transformation through,” said David Cox, East Hampton Town Manager.

Last month, Rep. Courtney also announced a $1,000,000 federal grant from the infrastructure law to help New London transform brownfield sites across the city.

The funding coming to eastern Connecticut is part of a larger Biden-Harris administration announcement that is delivering $315 million across the nation for cleanup efforts and technical assistance at polluted brownfield sites.

“We’re working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, we’re moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might.”

To read more about the grant program, click here.

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Transportation & Infrastructure Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Original source can be found here.