Courtney Announces Targeted Support for Eastern Connecticut Projects Included in First Round of House Appropriations Bills

NORWICH, CT—Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that five of his Community Project Funding requests for local priorities in eastern Connecticut were included in a round of bills approved last night in the House Appropriations Committee. Additional action on other bills that will include eastern Connecticut projects are being considered in committee today.

Courtney's five approved Community Project Funding requests so far would bring over $2 million in targeted federal investments home to eastern Connecticut. The funding would go towards a variety of important projects, including support for local law enforcement, programs to connect students with promising career paths, support for local health initiatives, and more.

Rep. Courtney's Community Project Funding requests included in last night's appropriations bills will:

• Purchase fluoroscopy equipment that will improve patient care and services at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT ($540,000)
• Support Groton Public Schools programming connecting students to careers in locally in-demand industries ($140,000)
• Create a new Digital Innovation Hub and STEM coursework at Mitchell College in New London ($555,000)
• Hire two additional substance abuse recovery coaches for the New London County region at Reliance Health ($120,000)
• Invest in a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and Records Management System (RMS for the Norwich Police Department ($700,000)

"We put our heads together with local leaders in town government and the nonprofit sector in eastern Connecticut to support these local projects, and this marks a big step forward in making it final," said Rep. Courtney. "The House's FY 2022 budget package will now officially include funding specifically for local projects here in eastern Connecticut—from support for our law enforcement officers at the Norwich Police Department, to improved health care services in the Quiet Corner and New London, to exciting new programs for students and degree-seekers here in the second district. There's more work to go until this budget becomes law, but this is where the process begins—in the House, with the Appropriations Committee. The 2022 budget is going to start off as one that targets support directly to some of our most important local priorities, and that's great news for eastern Connecticut."

"Day Kimball Healthcare is grateful to receive federal support organized through Congressman Joe Courtney that will be utilized in the acquisition of new imaging equipment. The Siemens Agile Fluoroscopy System will allow our team to provide an expanded array of services while concurrently improving efficiency and safety for our patients and staff. We are proud to serve as Northeast Connecticut's primary access point for healthcare services, and this funding ensures our ability to continually serve in that capacity."—Kyle Kramer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Day Kimball Healthcare.

"We are deeply grateful to Congressman Joe Courtney and our local leaders for their support of this initiative, which will address needs specifically identified through our work with the Governor's Workforce Council, and for which Mitchell College is uniquely positioned to successfully execute. The Digital Innovation Hub for Educational Excellence (DIHEE) furthers the College's commitment to Connecticut's Workforce Strategy through academic innovation and increasing access to training in both the STEM and mental health fields, all through the lens of neurodiversity and adaptability."—Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D., President of Mitchell College.

"With assistance from the Community Funding Project Program, Reliance Health will expand its community-based Recovery Coach program partnering with First Responders and Municipalities. Recovery Coaches provide direct contact and resources to individuals struggling with substance use, abuse, and addiction and provide peer-driven supports that focus on wellness, hope, and recovery. We are grateful to Congressman Courtney for understanding the needs of his community and advocating for the funding necessary to address this health crisis."—Carrie Dyer, Chief Executive Officer, Reliance Health.

"Support from the Community Funding Project Program will enable Groton Public Schools to jump start its Career Pathway Program. Through this new program, Groton will partner with local businesses to develop internships and workforce opportunities for our students at Fitch High School. Groton is extremely grateful to Congressman Courtney's ongoing commitment to workforce development in southeastern Connecticut and we're excited for our students to participate in this new program!"—Shannon Weigle, Grants Coordinator, Groton Public Schools.

This year, the Appropriations Committee announced it would formally accept requests from House Members to directly fund local projects, known as "Community Project Funding Requests", which were required to have extensive community support. His requests were publicly disclosed here.

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