Gentile lauds state funding to combat blighted sites in Ansonia, Derby

To help boost economic development 

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today lauded efforts to increase local economic development and combat Derby’s and Ansonia’s blighted properties through approval of $400,000 in funding to assess its brownfield sites for future revitalization.

Ansonia and Derby were two of 14 municipalities selected to receive a portion of $13.6 million in state-funded grants to combat blight across Connecticut.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the round of funding Monday.

This funding includes $12.1 million in grants for eight remediation and redevelopment projects, and an additional $1.5 million for eight assessment projects.

These funds will pay for the assessment of these properties and prepare them for future revitalization.

Ansonia and Derby have been awarded:

• A $200,000 grant for the investigation of a 2.7-acre parcel located at 65 Main St. in Ansonia.
• A $200,000 grant for the investigation of 19 acres on Derby’s Main Street related to the city’s downtown redevelopment plans.

“This funding is a key investment in Ansonia’s and Derby’s local economies. Not only will we be putting these properties back into productive use, but we will be increasing our tax base while simultaneously building a better place for our residents to live, work, and raise a family,” Gentile said.

Connecticut has invested more than $220 million in brownfield redevelopment since 2012. Through this, more than 3,000 permanent jobs and 15,000 construction jobs have been created in the state.

All of the funds will be awarded through the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

For information about DECD’s brownfield redevelopment programs, visit www.ctbrownfields.gov.

This is a press release from Gentile's office.