FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2009
CONTACT: Paul Mounds 860-278-8888
Larson: House Approves Funding to Spur Economic Growth in East Hartford
Washington D.C. - Last night, the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $400,000 in federal funding for the Town of East Hartford to improve the infrastructure of the Park Avenue commercial area. The funding will help support the development of a master design plan to spur economic development and regional employment growth.
U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) advocated for the inclusion of the funding for East Hartford in the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations bill.
"Park Avenue has built a foundation upon which economic development in East Hartford and the Greater Hartford region can expand. The underutilized and vacant warehouses in the area can house high tech and green manufacturing companies and bring much needed jobs to the community. By making an investment in Park Avenue, we are ensuring economic stability and job growth in the region. This project will serve as a true example of sustainable urban development," said Congressman Larson.
The funding will be used to develop a master design plan focused on enhancing the infrastructure to make the area attractive and inviting to businesses. The Park Avenue commercial area was previously used as a warehouse, food, and manufacturing center, however due to major infrastructure obstacles, the area and the warehouse facilities are unfeasible locations for prospective businesses in its current state. The area is being targeted as a location for green and high technology companies due to its adjacency to the Connecticut Southern Rail Line and the large capacity of dark fiber optic lines on the rail.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill will make targeted investments to provide short term help in the form of housing and jobs to those hurt most by the economic downturn and long term solutions like improved infrastructure to put our economy on sound footing for the future. It invests in the next generation of high speed passenger rail as well as in new commuter and light rail systems to increase our use of public transportation and help wean us off of our addiction to foreign oil. In addition, the bill invests in grant programs that will revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic development in vacant commercial and industrial sites and improve our nation's aging highway system to make transportation safer and more efficient.
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