Latest news with #CommunityInvestmentFund
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Willmar OKs gap funding for part of $1.2M Lakeland Drive off-street path
Jun. 10---- The unanimously approved tapping the city's Community Investment Fund to temporarily finance improvements of an off-street path along Lakeland Drive from U.S. Highway 12 to Civic Center Drive Northeast. City engineer Jared Voge of Bolton & Menk informed the council that the project received two grants — an Active Transportation grant in the amount of $204,380 and a Transportation Alternatives grant in the amount of $895,620. The estimated construction cost of the bike and pedestrian trail is $979,900 and the total estimated cost including administration, contingencies and engineering is $1.2 million, according to information from Voge. "By being proactive in their pursuit of funding, the city of Willmar has secured funding for approximately 80% of the total project costs associated with a high-priority connection within its bike and pedestrian network," Voge said in an email to the West Central Tribune. Voge told the council on June 2 that approximately $979,900 of the project costs are eligible for reimbursement from the grants and recommended accepting the full Active Transportation grant and $775,520 of the Transportation Alternatives grant. The city will fund $245,000 of the project costs. The Community Investment Fund will temporarily finance the $775,520 portion of the costs until the Transportation Alternatives grant becomes available in 2028. The was established by the in 2018 and provides grant funding for the construction of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects that will improve transportation options and reduce vehicle miles traveled, according to information included in a resolution approved by the council at the Dec. 12, 2024, meeting. During this funding cycle, the had $12.5 million in state funding to award to selected projects in Greater Minnesota to address safety concerns, equity and engage the community in project development. The makes available federal funding for non-motorized infrastructure to applicants across Greater Minnesota and had $12.45 million to award to selected projects, according to information included in the resolution approved Dec. 12, 2024. The resolutions state that the existing bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Willmar is fragmented, creating safety risk for users and discouraging alternative transportation modes. The existing infrastructure also includes several barriers to accessibility — as identified in Willmar's 2020 Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan — that will be addressed by the Lakeland Drive path project. The resolutions also state that the Lakeland Drive path project will expand multi-modal access to critical employment centers downtown and to the and The Active Transportation grant is scheduled for funding in 2026 and projects must be completed in 2026. The Transportation Alternatives grant will not be available until 2028, but can be used to reimburse the city for construction of the path, according to Voge. The approval to temporarily fund the project using the Community Investment Fund was needed in order to inform the funding agencies that the grants will be accepted, according to Voge. He also explained that there will be additional agreements and other items that come before the City Council throughout the process of accepting the grants. Councilors Audrey Nelsen and Tom Gilbertson voiced concerns during the June 2 discussion that the Transportation Alternatives grant is federal funding and asked if there is a potential that the funding would not be disbursed. "If you're alluding to this uncertainty right now at the federal level, all I can say is that the project has been awarded the funding," Voge said. " ... I can't definitively tell you with 100% certainty that something at the federal level is not going to happen to claw the money back." He explained that there have been delays on other projects, but not removal of awarded funding through a federally authorized grant program.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lamont awards Waterbury $4 million grant for downtown infrastructure improvements
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Gov. Ned Lamont awarded Waterbury a $4 million grant for infrastructure improvements to the downtown area, according to a written release. The improvements are slated to support the streetscape along West Main Street, which includes upgrades to sidewalks, lighting, roadways, sewers and storm drainage, the press release said. Thousands attend 'Little Poland Festival' in New Britain This will address the concerns of infrastructure more than 100 years old, according to a written release. The grant will be released through the state's Community Investment Fund. Lamont will hold a press conference alongside Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski and other state officials at 10:30 on Monday at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families lot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Haven officials mark start of deal at Continuum of Care with ribbon cutting
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — More than a hundred clients of Continuum of Care will be able to keep living right where they have been for years. That, despite their landlord looking to sell to an out-of-state developer. Friday morning, New Haven officials cut the ribbon marking the start of a new deal for Continuum. Connecticut Job Corps centers to pause operations in June Most ribbon cuttings mean big changes are coming. This one was designed to keep things mostly the same. At one apartment complex on Ella Grasso Boulevard and another one on Blake Street, more than 100 people and families rent apartments with the help of the Continuum of Care. Continuum helps folks dealing with mental health, developmental, and addiction issues, and the homelessness that often goes with them. 'Continuum offers a full array of services for individuals, including crisis stabilization, residential treatment, supervised apartments, supportive housing,' Jim Farrales, the President & CEO of Continuum of Care, said. The landlord who had been renting all those apartments to Continuum clients for all those years told Continuum they were looking to sell. A buyer from New York was interested. Continuum knew that meant the new landlord was probably going to jack up the rents. So, the continuum went to local officials, who worked with the State Department of Housing and the Department of Economic and Community Development. DECD has something called the Community Investment Fund 'It's not just for economic development projects,' Deputy Commissioner Matthew Pugliese of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said. 'It's for projects in communities that are going to help support the people that are underserved in those communities.' That money, along with other public and private funding, helped Continuum buy the two apartment complexes. That means all those people and families can stay right where they are, in apartments they can afford, with case workers on site to help them stay on track. 'This supportive housing model is designed to help individuals have the support they need to successfully live full lives here in the community,' Continuum's Farrales said. Some things will actually change. Continuum plans to upgrade and renovate many of the units. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
New Ecology Camp launches in Prince Rupert to connect children with nature
Children aged 6 to 12 in Prince Rupert will have a new way to explore the outdoors this summer through a fresh initiative designed to foster a deeper understanding of North Coast's rich natural environment. With support from Trigon Terminal's Community Investment Fund, the North Coast Ecology Centre Society (NCECS) is launching a series of multi-day Ecology Camps. The program will combine interactive learning with outdoor fun. Guided by experienced staff, participants will get hands-on experiences with local marine life at the NCECS's pop-up Ecology Centre while also participating in games, nature walks, and science-based activities across Prince Rupert's unique ecosystems. 'We live in an incredibly beautiful and ecologically diverse part of the world,' said NCECS Chair, Sandra Penner. 'But we often take the amazing things that are in our own backyards for granted. Through this program, we will give local children a better appreciation of the natural riches around us, and how we can responsibly enjoy and help conserve them.' The summer program will follow an in-school delivery model to local elementary students. It will include four sessions in July, each running Monday to Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Themes include 'Coastal Connections: Life along the Water' and 'Shoreline to Deep Water.' Trigon says additional intakes will be offered later in the season, depending on staff availability. 'One of our core objectives at Trigon is to make sure we are operating with full consideration for surrounding ecosystems,' said Craig Olley, Trigon's President. 'That is done through both our responsible day-to-day operations, as well as special projects, like the marine habitat enhancements we made while building our second berth. We're pleased to extend that commitment to help build ecological awareness among local children.' The NCECS continues to run seasonal programming and operates a pop-up Ecology Centre in Cow Bay, now in its third summer. The society is also working towards establishing a permanent ecological education facility in the region. People interested in additional details and registering for the Ecology Camps can visit .
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CT Gov. approves $10M for Enfield Mall redevelopment
ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP) – Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Friday the approval of $77 million in state funding for 35 economic development projects, one of them including the 'Enfield Marketplace project.' The funding, approved by the State Bond Commission, aims to revitalize historically underserved communities through a wide range of infrastructure housing, and economic development initiatives. The largest allocation this round–$10 million– has been awarded to the Town of Enfield. In collaboration with Woodsonia Acquisitions LLC, Enfield will use the funds for the 'Enfield Marketplace Infrastructure' project, a mixed-use development designed to inject new energy and economic vitality into the area. The project includes the installation of essential infrastructure to support residential, commercial, and public space enhancements. 'Through this grant program, we are helping municipalities throughout Connecticut make improvements in underserved areas that will enhance their economic vibrancy and revitalize neighborhoods,' Governor Lamont said in a statement. 'I am glad that we can partner with these towns and cities and other organizations to make these improvements that will drive growth in our state.' Senate President Looney praised the program's long-term vision. 'These grants are targeted investments to uplift underserved communities, assist struggling nonprofit social service organizations, promote equity, and spur long-term economic growth across Connecticut,' he said. Speaker Ritter added, 'Investing in transformational projects can provide a huge boost to nonprofits, communities, and even entire regions of Connecticut.' Created in 2022, the Community Investment Fund is a multi-year initiative designed to distribute up to $875 million in grants over five years. Eligible projects include capital improvements such as affordable housing development, brownfield remediation, infrastructure upgrades, and support programs for small businesses, including revolving loans and start-up financing. Click here for a full list of approved projects and more information on the CIF program. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
