Community Funding Projects
Community Project Funding Requests - Fiscal Year 2023
Rep. Larson has submitted funding requests for important community projects in CT-01 to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 10 projects in their community for fiscal year 2022 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Larson has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested.
Projects are listed in alphabetical order by Project Title.
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/Department of Transportation/Highway Infrastructure Projects
Project Title: Broad Street Complete Streets Improvement Project
Amount of Request: $3 million
Intended Recipient: Town of Windsor, located at 275 Broad Street, Windsor, CT 06095
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to reduce the two lanes of travel through Windsor Center into one lane of travel while maintaining circulation and traffic capacities, otherwise known as a “Road Diet”. The overall goal is to reshape Windsor Center to become more pedestrian friendly and to add vitality to the downtown. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because reconfiguring Broad Street in Windsor Center will support local businesses by slowing traffic down, adding on-street parking, and creating a friendly and safe environment for pedestrians.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies/Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration, Training, and Employment Services
Project Title: The Brother Carl Institute for Workforce and Career Readiness
Amount of Request: $1,322,539
Intended Recipient: Hartford Communities That Care, located at 2550 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to train and employ school-aged youth and adults ages 17-35 to become Violence Prevention Professionals (VPPs). Across the state of Connecticut and certainly here in the Greater Hartford area, VPPs are few in numbers and in high demand to address community and inter-personal violence. Additionally, Public Safety careers in the Fire Safety services shows a large gap between citizens of color and representation in the Fire Service. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because according to the Giffords Law Center, the law enforcement and healthcare costs alone associated with a single gun related homicide are $488,0000 and more than $71,000 for each non-fatal shooting. In Connecticut, more than 85% of gunshot victims are on Medicaid or are Medicaid-eligible, meaning taxpayers are footing the vast majority of these bills.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Charter Oak Landing park infrastructure
Amount of Request: $1,010,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hartford, located at 550 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to complete required work to address seasonal flooding that takes its toll on the infrastructure of this important community gathering place, including wharf deck replacement and structural repairs, dock deck replacement and structural repairs, guard rail replacement, parking lot erosion, and gazebo repair and entrance gate replacement. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Charter Oak Landing is a park that is used by the community for recreation, picnics, fishing and launching boats, as well as community events and celebrations. The park is open to the public and receives heavy usage throughout the year.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Church Corner Rehabilitation
Amount of Request: $6 million
Intended Recipient: Town of East Hartford, located at 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate the Church Corner’s Inn into high-quality one-bedroom housing with a set-aside for low-income and veteran tenants. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the building has fallen into disrepair and is a major source of service calls for the health, police, and fire departments. The property is for sale, and the owner is amenable to selling it to the Town for rehabilitation purposes.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies/Fund for Improvement in Postsecondary Education/Department of Education
Project Title: Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library Community History Project in Partnership with Connecticut Institutions of Higher Education
Amount of Request: $1.5 million
Intended Recipient: Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library, 1 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to uplift and preserve the histories of diverse communities by working with the state’s colleges and universities to advance the use of community history in postsecondary education. The project leverages a three-city pilot project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services into a statewide initiative to develop a collection of artifacts, including photos, first-hand accounts, and other such documentation to accurately catalogue the experience of living through a modern-day pandemic from the perspective of all segments of Connecticut’s diverse population. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because preserving community history is an essential part of building healthy communities and sustaining our nation’s democracy.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies/NIST Construction of Research Facilities—Extramural Construction
Project Title: Connecticut Manufacturing Technology & Innovation Center
Amount of Request: $25 million
Intended Recipient: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, 222 Pitkin Street, Suite 101, East Hartford, CT 06108
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is for the new “Connecticut Manufacturing Technology & Innovation Center,” which will be home to CCAT’s new headquarters, R&D facilities, and existing programs, providing additional capacity for the organization and the State of Connecticut to expand its research capabilities and scale-up current programming. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will be a shared resource and asset for all of Connecticut’s advanced manufacturing entities and key stakeholders to utilize.The R&D and associated workforce development activities conducted at the Center will support the economic competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector, as well as contribute to significant job growth and technology development.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Connecticut Trolley Museum Facility Upgrades & Visitor Enhancements
Amount of Request: $1.2 million
Intended Recipient: Connecticut Electric Railway Association, Inc. dba Connecticut Trolley Museum, 58 North Road, East Windsor, CT 06088
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to correct site drainage issues and pave parking lots, improve front area grounds, refurbish the Visitor Center, complete maintenance work on railway lines, and refurbish the trolley car storage barn to move forward the goal of developing the Trolley Museum into a living history museum. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because with over 30,000 visitors per year, these improvements will allow this 80-year-old museum to continue to serve the public and expand their reach.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: East Hartford Post Office acquisition and renovation
Amount of Request: $4 million
Intended Recipient: Town of East Hartford, located at East Hartford Town Hall, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to renovate the historic downtown post office building as an annex to the Raymond Library. Once renovated, the building will include facilities for the library’s new ARPA-funded digital navigation program (Get Online), as well as offices and meeting space for East Hartford CONNects, and satellite classrooms for East Hartford Adult Education. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because reusing the historic Post Office building maintains the character of East Hartford’s Downtown Main Street Historic District while supporting pandemic recovery and fostering community resiliency.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: East-West River Links
Amount of Request: $2.4 million
Intended Recipient: iQuilt Partnership, located at 31 Pratt Street, 5th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to advance key components of Hartford 400, a river-centered vision for the Connecticut Valley and its Capital City. Hartline is a 6-mile linear park that is a dedicated pedestrian/bikeway comprised of three segments. The conversion of a rail to trail (5 miles), protected bike lane through city streets (.5 mile) and the Riverlink (a 1/2-mile elevated pedestrian/bikeway bridge). The linear park connects multiple communities to the Connecticut Riverfront and will help overcome historic infrastructure barriers that have limited opportunities and development in North Hartford. Following on the planning and preliminary engineering for the Hartline and Riverlink (in 2021 and 2022) this funding will allow the project to proceed through engineering/design to construction documents. The second component focuses on transforming the river’s east-west bridge crossings - two existing (Bulkeley and Founders) and two new (Coltsville and South) - into walkable, bikeable street bridges that knit together the nine towns of the Capital City. The project will place strong emphasis on transit linkages, including eastward expansion of CT Fastrak, and on the growing regional network of bike/pedestrian paths and trails. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this project is in line with the region’s goals of greater mobility, increased social equity, economic growth, and becoming a better place to play and live.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies/Fund for Improvement in Postsecondary Education/Department of Education
Project Title: Educating for Democracy Project
Amount of Request: $1 million
Intended Recipient: Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library, 1 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is promote civic knowledge and skills, civic values and dispositions, and civic behaviors to ensure that K-12 students are equipped with “21st-century skills” such as critical thinking, analysis and reflection, dialogue, and effectively navigating an increasingly digital world. The project is a partnership of nonprofit community stakeholders designed to teach history and advance Civics Education with K-12 students using primary source material housed in the state’s museums and historic sites. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because there is an emerging consensus among scholars and historians that robust civics education and the resulting community engagement is critical to a well-functioning and sustainable democracy. Evidence suggests that students who receive high quality civic education are more likely to understand public issues, view political engagement as a means of addressing communal challenges, and participate in civic activities.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Energy and Water/US Army Corps of Engineers
Project Title: Hartford and East Hartford flood control systems
Amount of Request: $2,140,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hartford, 550 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to fund the study needed to recommend modifications to Hartford and East Hartford’s levee systems along the Connecticut River. The Army Corps of Engineers has identified serious deficiencies that will require significant repairs if these aging systems are going to hold up. On the Hartford side alone, the system protects a significant portion of the city’s grand list including prime commercial, institutional, and residential real estate. Failure of the levees would jeopardize the I-84/I-91 interchange, the state’s largest wastewater treatment plant, and other critical infrastructure for the region. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the impact of a failure in the system could mean loss of life and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Financial Services and General Government/Small Business Administration/Small Business Initiatives
Project Title: Hispanic Federation Financial Education Initiative
Amount of Request: $650,000
Intended Recipient: Hispanic Federation, 175 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to offer culturally and linguistically (Spanish/English) relevant workshop training in three Hands-on Banking modules: Basics of Banking Services, Money Management Tools and Tips, and Using Credit to Your Advantage. In addition, HF will continue to use a COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 frame to discuss these tools as Latino families and nonprofits as they navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Laurel Marsh Trail Improvements
Amount of Request: $3 million
Intended Recipient: Town of Manchester, located at 41 Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to remove and replace approximately 1,300 linear feet of elevated timber boardwalk structures throughout Laurel Marsh Park in Manchester. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because a large portion of the trail had to be closed to the public recently due to the unsafe condition of the trail's elevated boardwalk structures. The timber structures were built over 30 years ago and have deteriorated to the point of making them unsafe. Replacement of the boardwalk structures are needed to make the trail fully accessible again.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies/Fund for Improvement in Postsecondary Education/Department of Education
Project Title: Mobile Manufacturing Lab and Nursing Program Enhancements and Scholarships
Amount of Request: $5,148,596
Intended Recipient: Goodwin University, 1 Riverside Drive, East Hartford, CT 06118
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to increase capacity in two workforce tracts: ADVANCED MANUFACTURING: GU owns the Mobile Manufacturing Lab (MML), a state-of-the-art mobile classroom and the only one of its kind in Connecticut. It is self-powered and climate-controlled, with a Wi-Fi hotspot, computer projection and overhead speaker capability. It is utilized for workshops with middle and high school students and incumbent worker training workshops at employment sites. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because GU’s Nursing program technology is at least 15 years behind what is currently available, yet Connecticut has an aging workforce, with 26% workers over the age of 55, and therefore likely to be nearing retirement soon, compared to a 22% rate nationally. These gaps need to be filled with new, skilled employees.
Signed Disclosure Letter
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Victim Impact Project
Amount of Request: $500,000
Intended Recipient: Mothers United Against Violence (MUAV), located at 2550 Main Street, Hartford CT, 06120
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to direct support to underserved families who have been impacted by violence in the Greater Hartford area. The program works directly with police to provide support to families as they navigate the criminal justice system and intends to help to reduce the trauma individuals face every day. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the City of Hartford has experiences more than 479 homicides since 2003, most often a result of gun violence.
Signed Disclosure Letter
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Community Project Funding Requests - Fiscal Year 2022
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: La Bodeguita De La Gente
Amount of Request: $250,000
Intended Recipient: Connecticut Food Bank, located at 450 Woodland Ave. Bloomfield, CT 06002
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to address food insecurity and other impacts of poverty in Hartford. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Connecticut Food Bank has a proven record of success in feeding Connecticut and La Bodeguita De La Gente is a ground up initiative with a demonstrated ability to serve and respond to the needs of a population that is often under-served.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Colt Park Structure Rehabilitation
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hartford, located at Hartford City Hall, 550 Main St., Hartford CT 06103
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to restore the Colt Gardner's Cottage and Colt Carriage House. These structures will add to the historic nature of Colt Park and will create amenities for visitors of the park and residents in Hartford. By integrating these into the park, it will ensure that they are free and open for any and all taxpayers to use. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will further a long time local and federal priority to preserve the Coltsville Historic District. The National Park Service has concluded remedial action is needed to prevent further deterioration of the Gardner's College.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Financial Services and General Government/Small Business Administration/Small Business Initiatives
Project Title: Connecticut Manufacturing & Technology CommUNITY eCommons
Amount of Request: $900,000
Intended Recipient: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, located at 222 Pitkin Street, Suite 101, East Hartford CT 06108
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to reinvent the workforce talent pipeline for small businesses post-COVID-19 and provide centralized and common resources that will reinvest in workers and small businesses. This approach will focus on broadening participation within Connecticut communities to help jumpstart an equitable recovery for Black and Latino communities and small businesses, among the hardest hit by the pandemic. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will connect small businesses that have workforce development needs with the population of displaced or underemployed workers in Connecticut. It will also connect small businesses to share common resources to upskill/train new and existing workers, in addition to adopting new technologies that will improve their competitiveness.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: East Hartford Downtown Post Office Acquisition
Amount of Request: $600,000
Intended Recipient: Town of East Hartford, located at 740 Main St, East Hartford, CT, 06108
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to purchase the former East Hartford Post Office, allowing the town to redevelop the property. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the current status of the building (protected with barb fencing and minimally upkept) is an eyesore and attractive nuisance that is hindering development in what should be a desirable part of town. By purchasing the building for future redevelopment, the town can turn what is currently a hinderance on the area into an attractive asset.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Labor HHS/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/ Health Survelliance and Program Support
Project Title: Hartford Care Response Team-Violence Prevention Enhancement
Amount of Request: $624,919
Intended Recipient: Hartford Communities That Care, located at 2550 Main Street, Third Floor, Hartford, CT 06120
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to address the increase in gun violence in the Hartford area through an investment in hospital-based violence intervention. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Hartford Communities That Care is a respected community organization with a track record of success in breaking the cycle of victims re-engaging in violence or being re-injured.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Energy and Water/US Army Corps of Engineers
Project Title: Hartford and East Hartford United States Army Corps of Engineers Feasibility Report
Amount of Request: $2,340,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hartford
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study to address known deficiencies in the Hartford and East Hartford Flood Damage Reduction System.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Hartford400
Amount of Request: $900,000
Intended Recipient: iQuilt Partnership, located at Innovation Center, 24 Central Row, Hartford CT, 06103.
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to advance the work of the Hartford 400 project and ensure they are able to continue operation. This is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars because they are working with the community to develop a vision for the Hartford region that will reconnect neighborhoods, update an outdated transportation network, create jobs, and repair flood control systems in desperate need of repair.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Rehabilitation of Hockanum River Linear Park Trail
Amount of Request: $700,000
Intended Recipient: Town of East Hartford, located at 740 Main St, East Hartford, CT, 06108
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to repair segments of the Hockanum River Linear Park Trail, a significant public facility that provides a variety of benefits to citizens and visitors alike. Rehabilitation of the trail will enhance the facility, improve safety for all trail users, and reduce future damage by floodwater. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because without work, the trail condition will likely worsen, with sections closing to protect public safety. As a result, prior investment in developing the trail will be lost.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Riverfront Park
Amount of Request: $900,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hartford, located at Hartford City Hall, 550 Main St., Hartford CT 06103
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to improve access to greenspace and the Connecticut River. This is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars because it will have a positive impact on community and economic health for all residents of Hartford, especially those living in the north end. Riverfront Recapture has a strong track record of kickstarting adjacent economic development around their parks and trails. Since their founding in 1981, Major development around Riverfront Recapture parks has included Hartford's Front Street District, the Connecticut Convention Center, and Connecticut Science Center. In 2015, Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development estimated the value of recently completed, under construction, approved or in the pipeline projects, within walking distance of Riverfront Recapture parks at $1,134,100,000.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Subcommittee/Account/Agency: Transportation HUD/HUD/Economic Development Initiatives
Project Title: Victim Impact project
Amount of Request: $300,000
Intended Recipient: Mothers United Against Violence (MUAV), located at 2550 Main Street, Hartford CT, 06120
Explanation of Request: The purpose of this project is to provide direct support to victims of gun violence, ensuring they are able to navigate the legal system in a way that reduces their mental stress and trauma. This is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars because the Hartford area is in the midst of a spike in gun violence. Mothers United Against Violence has spent over 18 years working to reduce the level of crime, trauma and mental health issues in their communities.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here
Member-Designated Transportation Projects
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and Chairman Peter DeFazio announced the T&I Committee will formally accept requests for projects from House Members.
The T&I Committee process for considering member projects is separate and distinct from the House Committee on Appropriations' process for considering Community Project Funding requests. Projects funded through the surface transportation authorization will be funded directly from the Highway Trust Fund, and they do not require a separate or subsequent appropriation.
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Project Eligibility
Capital projects eligible under title 23, United States Code, and chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, are eligible for funding requests under T&I's project submission process.
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Transparency
The project submitted by Congressman Larson to the T&I Committee is posted below. Members will be required to certify that neither they nor their immediate family have a financial interest in the requests made.
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Project Requested
Project Sponsor: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Project Name/Location: Greater Hartford Mobility Study – Planning and Preliminary Engineering
Hartford/East Hartford, CT
Requested Amount: $16 million