Final 2023 Spending Package Includes $21.5 Million for 15 Courtney-Requested Projects Throughout Eastern Connecticut

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the FY 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2617), a bipartisan spending package that includes all twelve annual federal appropriations bills, and will keep America open for business through September 30, 2023. The agreement includes funding for a wide range of eastern Connecticut priorities that Rep. Courtney helped to secure—click here to read more. Now that the bill has been passed by the House, it will move on to the President’s desk for signature.

Passage of the 2023 Omnibus marks the second consecutive year that Congress has approved specific, targeted funding for local projects requested by Members of Congress, known as “Community Project Funding.” After working closely with second district towns, leaders, and non-profit organizations, Rep. Courtney requested and secured funding for fifteen local projects throughout eastern Connecticut in the full 2023 spending agreement. Now, Courtney’s Community Project requests will help complete and support local initiatives in towns like Canterbury, Coventry, East Hampton, Groton, Madison, Mansfield, Plainfield, Stonington, the Quiet Corner, and more.

“The government funding package we passed today includes funding specifically for important projects that many of our towns and community partners otherwise couldn’t afford,” said Rep. Courtney. “From improved childcare services, to new affordable housing opportunities, to infrastructure upgrades that will support our fishing industry on the shoreline, and protect our environment while preparing for growth in north central Connecticut. My office worked side-by-side with local leaders in town governments and the nonprofit sector to secure funding for these local projects, and we worked hard to win support for these critical initiatives. It took tough sledding to get this budget finally completed, and I want to thank House Appropriations Chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro for her leadership carrying it across the finish line. The final 2023 funding package targets support straight to some of our most important local priorities, and that’s great news for eastern Connecticut.”

In addition to the $21.5 million for 15 projects initiated in the House by Rep. Courtney, the final measure also includes $9.7 million for 12 other projects throughout CT-02 that were initiated by Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, for a total of 27 funded projects at $31.2 million. Click here for a map of projects funded in CT-02 by the 2023 Omnibus.

Targeted Support for Fifteen Local Projects 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes funding Rep. Courtney secured for local projects throughout eastern Connecticut. All fifteen of Courtney’s 2023 Community Project Funding requests were approved by the House Appropriations Committee, and today, funding for those projects was officially passed as part of H.R. 2617. Courtney’s 2023 project requests will bring over $21.5 million in targeted federal investments home to CT-02, and will be used to: 

• Canterbury, CT: Provide New Space for Children’s Learning—Rep. Courtney secured funding to construct a children’s play and learning center at the Canterbury Public Library in Canterbury, CT ($480,000) 
  
  “Library services are more important than ever, and having the resources to finally construct a space specifically for kids to learn, socialize, and play will be a real benefit to so many families in our community. We have been glad to work with Rep. Courtney and his team to go after this funding opportunity, and we’re very excited about today’s step forward on making it final.” — Beth Delaney, Director of the Canterbury Public Library

• Coventry, CT: Protect Our Environment, and Prepare for Development—Rep. Courtney secured funding to extend existing sanitary sewers from the Town of Bolton into the Town of Coventry along CT Route 44, reducing the potential for groundwater contamination and facilitating redevelopment of commercial properties nearby ($1,500,000) 
  
  “We are excited that this long-standing project to address sewer needs on Route 44 is moving forward due to the efforts of Congressman Courtney. The project will resolve outstanding septic issues and allow appropriate development of our busiest street.   Our Water Pollution control authority looks forward to working with our regional partners to swiftly move this project from concept to construction.” — John Elsesser, Town Manager of Coventry, CT 

• East Hampton, CT: Improve Local Trail Networks—One of Rep. Courtney’s project requests will help complete the last remaining gap in 112-mile Air Line Trail with construction of a new wooden boardwalk in East Hampton, CT ($1,400,000) 
  
  “This project has been in motion for several years. We’ve overcome a few speedbumps when it comes to things like Army Corps permitting and other logistics, we worked our way to the point where the ultimate bridge design was reviewed and approved by the Army Corps, and now going out and securing funding for construction has been one of our final goals for the project. It’s a real treat to see the funding aspect moving forward in the federal budget, and to finally be in a situation where we see light at the end of the tunnel—we’re grateful for that, and we’re ready to go once the funding approval comes through. Completion of the new Air Line Trail boardwalk is going to make hundreds of thousands of people happy.” — Jeremy Hall, Director of Parks and Recreation in East Hampton, CT 

• Groton, CT: Improve Childcare Services for Local Families—Courtney secured funding to replace outdated modular buildings at TVCCA’s Childcare Center in Groton, CT ($3,000,000) 
  
  “It is incredibly important for children and families in Groton to have a state-of-the-art early childhood center—the social, emotional, and educational development that takes place in these classrooms is so beneficial for our youngest learners, and a huge source of support for many of our region’s parents and families. Congressman Courtney’s office has been a phenomenal partner in supporting our work at TVCCA for years, and we have been so pleased to combine our efforts in going after this new federal funding opportunity. This project would have a tangible and positive impact for children and families in our Groton community, and we are ready to keep working with Congressman Courtney and his team to make it final.” — Deborah Monahan, Chief Executive Officer of TVCCA

• Hebron, CT: Upgrade and Expand Services to Individuals with Disabilities—Courtney worked with the Easterseals of Oak Hill to secure funding to upgrade their Hemlocks Center facilities, located in Hebron, CT. The project will enable Easterseals to expand services, and to fund capital improvements and accessibility upgrades to better serve individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities ($1,800,000)
  
  “These much needed funds will have a transformational impact on the services we provide for individuals with disabilities at the Hemlocks Center. Thanks to the efforts of Representatives Courtney and DeLauro, Easterseals of Oak Hill will be newly situated to offer yearlong education and outdoor recreation opportunities to the children and adults we serve. We are so excited to move forward creating a center of excellence; increasing opportunities for nature-based person-centered learning and recreation.” — Barry Simon, President & CEO of Oak Hill

• Lebanon, CT: Repair and Upgrade Facilities Serving Men with Addiction and Mental Health Issues—Courtney secured funding to help the Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., (SCADD) to make repairs and upgrades to residential and treatment facilities in Lebanon, CT that serve men with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Funding will help SCADD to upgrade food service facilities, replace outdated communications equipment, and make necessary roof and sewer repairs ($915,000)
  
  “The resources provided by the Community Project Funding program will allow our agency to make critical infrastructure improvements that have been overdue for many years. We are so grateful for the commitment Joe Courtney has demonstrated to the citizens of Southeastern Connecticut and his recognition that access to substance abuse and mental health treatment for vulnerable populations is vital for the health and wellbeing of our community. Thank you, Joe, for understanding that recovery is possible!” — Stacey Lawton, CEO of Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

• Madison, CT: Enhance Capabilities for First Responders in Madison—Courtney also secured funding to support the Town of Madison’s Emergency Operations Center Project. These resources will be used to help construct an emergency operations center in Madison, which will be built as an addition to the Madison Fire Station ($2,500,000)
  
  “This is very exciting news, this grant will allow Madison to construct a state of the art emergency operations center which will enhance our response capabilities to natural disasters and other emergencies, making the Town of Madison safer for it’s residents and emergency services personnel.” — Samuel DeBurra, Director of Operations, Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management Director for the Town of Madison

• Mansfield, CT: Expand Affordable Housing Opportunities—Courtney also secured funding to renovate an existing structure to be included as part of a 42-unit affordable housing rehabilitation project in Mansfield, CT ($300,000) 
  
  “The Mansfield Nonprofit Development Corporation has been working on bringing additional affordable housing to the Mansfield community for years. Funding for this renovation is one piece of a larger affordable housing project that has yet to be funded. This will help complete the funding for the entire 42-unit project.” — Kathy Ward, President of the Mansfield Nonprofit Housing Development Corporation

• New London and Southeast Connecticut: Expand Mental Health Care Opportunities in Local Schools—Courtney secured funding to enable the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT to hire five new, full-time, master’s level mental health clinicians. The funding will help place mental health clinicians in classrooms in high-need communities in the New London, Groton, Waterford, and Ledyard communities ($693,000)
  
  “The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the mental health of families and young children throughout our region. This grant will enable us to provide essential behavioral health resources to help our youngest children and their families to thrive.” — Dr. Allison Blake, CEO of the Child & Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Inc.

• Northeast Connecticut: Expand Services for Women Escaping Domestic Violence—Another of Rep. Courtney’s project requests will provide funding to renovate, upgrade, and expand a United Services, Inc.’s Domestic Violence Shelter serving northeast Connecticut, providing more beds, more private space for occupants, and improved ADA accessibility ($1,000,000) 
  
  “United Services Domestic Violence Shelter provides a safe place for women, men and children fleeing abuse and seeking to rebuild their lives. We are grateful to Congressman Courtney for his support of a long overdue renovation to one of our shelters.” — Diane L. Manning, President/CEO of United Services

• Plainfield, CT: Make Upgrades to the Quinebaug River Trail—Courtney secured funding that will enable the design, permitting, and construction of a new, multi-use, 1.6-mile trail in Plainfield, CT ($2,200,000) 
  
  “This is such an important project for Plainfield, the Region, and the 15 states, 450 cities, and 3,000 miles that make up the Federally recognized East Coast Greenway. The Town is extremely grateful to Joe for all of his efforts to move this project forward at the federal level, and to CT DOT and CT DEEP for playing a critical role in completing the 200 miles of the ECG in CT.” — Mary Ann Chinatti, Town Planner of Plainfield, CT

• Somers, CT: Protect Our Environment, and Upgrade Local Water Infrastructure—Courtney also secured funding to make upgrades and improve operations at the Wastewater Pollution Control Facility in Somers, CT ($945,000) 
  
  “The Somers WPCA believes that clean water is a resource which all of us share and must be protected. We would like to thank Rep. Courtney and his staff for helping us secure funding to repair the Somersville wastewater treatment facility. This grant will help us improve water quality in the Scantic, while at the same time avoid placing a large cost burden on the residents of Somersville. The Somers WPCA also thanks Somers First Selectman Tim Keeney for his support and Matt Jermine of Weston & Sampson for engineering expertise on this project.” — Dan Parisi, Town of Somers Superintendent

• Stonington, CT: Support the Local Fishing Industry with Infrastructure Upgrades—Courtney secured funding that will enable the start of major maintenance and upgrades to the Fisherman’s Dock in Stonington, CT ($900,000) 
  
  “We are so grateful for this funding opportunity. It will enable us to invest in essential maintenance needed at our Town Dock, which serves the last major commercial fishing community in Connecticut and related wholesale businesses. Stonington has a longstanding history of supporting our local fishermen and women and we want to be sure we are doing everything we can to protect their future.” — Stonington First Selectwoman Daniele Chesebrough

• Storrs, CT: Fund Research into Mitigation Strategies for the Crumbling Foundations Crisis—Rep. Courtney has led the effort to help homeowners impacted by the crumbling foundations crisis from the start, and has helped secure a variety of new resources both to directly support homeowners, and to conduct research on how to mitigate the crisis. The 2023 Omnibus includes his request to provide direct funding to the University of Connecticut so that they can continue their research into the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite in concrete ($4,000,000) 
  
  “This critical funding will help UConn continue in its work to offer assessments that are quick, accurate, and minimally intrusive for Connecticut residents whose homes may have been built with the problematic concrete blend. As the state’s land-grant higher education institution, UConn is committed to using the expertise in the School of Engineering’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to address real-world issues such as these.” — Dr. Radenka Maric, President of the University of Connecticut
  
  President Maric added: “UConn’s experts will work on standards for acceptable levels of pyrrhotite in concrete aggregate, as well as detection, prevention, and remedial tools. We are immensely grateful to Representative Courtney and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation for securing funding to allow us to continue to conduct this critical work, and to be a trusted resource for our state’s affected homeowners as we navigate this complex issue together.”

• Suffield, CT: Support New Equipment Purchases at the Suffield Police Department—Courtney secured funding to help the Suffield Police Department purchase a new Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System. The new equipment will allow the Town of Suffield’s emergency services, including Police, Fire, and EMS, to better serve the community by enabling better recordkeeping, data collection, and data analysis to inform police and emergency service operations ($180,000)
  
  “The Town of Suffield Police and Fire Department, as well as the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association are grateful for the efforts of Representative Joe Courtney and First Selectman Moll in assisting with approval of this grant.  The grant provides the funding for a much needed upgrade to our Computer Aided Dispatch-Records Management System which will greatly improve public safety services and allow for more efficient operations in our community.  Moreover, the new technology will assist the Police Department with achieving its accreditation obligations under the recently passed Police Accountability Bill.  We are thankful for funding opportunities like this as they allow smaller communities like Suffield to better meet national standards of best practices in law enforcement.” — Suffield Police Department Chief James Canon

###