Press Release, issued by  Congressman Larson, March 11, 2022
Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted to fund $6.38 million in Community Project Funding that he previously secured for the First District. This funding, included in the appropriations government funding package, responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in the Greater Hartford area.

“I’m proud to announce that 10 projects in the First District will receive more than $6 million in the federal funding package that passed the House today. These projects combat food insecurity, support gun violence prevention and victims of gun violence, restore historic buildings, expand and enhance greenspace, help small businesses post-COVID, expand the East Hartford Library, move the Hartford400 vision forward, and address the Hartford/East Hartford’s levee systems. These projects will have a profound impact on our communities now and into the future for generations to come. I thank Chair Rosa DeLauro for her support and all of the community advocates for their hard work,” said Larson. First District Community

Funding Projects included in the omnibus:

• $1 million to restore the Colt Gardner’s Cottage and Colt Carriage House at Coltsville National Historical Park.
• $600,000 for the Town of East Hartford to purchase the former Downtown Post Office and expand the Raymond Library.
• $630,000 for Hartford Communities That Care for their Hartford Care Response Team and Violence Prevention Enhancement.
• $200,000 for the Hartford and East Hartford Levee Systems 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.
• $900,000 for iQuilt Partnership to advance the work of the Hartford400 project.
• $700,000 for the Town of East Hartford to repair the Hockanum River Linear Park Trail.
• $900,000 for the City of Hartford’s Riverfront Park to improve access to greenspace and the Connecticut River.
• $300,000 for Mothers United Against Violence to provide support and services to victims of gun violence.
• $900,000 for the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology for their Connecticut Manufacturing & Technology CommUNITY eCommons 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.
• $250,000 for Connecticut Foodshare to address food insecurity in Hartford.

“It’s remarkable how much Congressman Larson got done for his district in this legislation, and our community is deeply grateful for his work,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “Thanks to Congressman Larson’s advocacy, organizations like Mothers United Against Violence and Hartford Communities That Care will get vital support, regional organizations like Riverfront Recapture and iQuilt will have the resources to accelerate their work, and we’ll be able to begin restoring two historic buildings in the Coltsville National Historical Park. I’m incredibly grateful to Congressman Larson and our entire delegation for working so hard and so effectively for Connecticut and for this region.”

“Mothers United Against Violence is honored to be able to provide the necessary resources for underserved communities and to address the layers of trauma and PTSD which has existed for so many years and to specifically help individuals navigate through the criminal justice system,” said Mothers United Against Violence Co-Founders Henrietta Beckman, Rev. Henry Brown, and Deborah Davis, Program & Development Manager.

“Congressman Larson truly understands the importance of making certain that all of his constituents require the necessary resources in order to be both effective and efficient in the work of violence intervention and prevention.”

“We at HCTC are gratified that this funding is finally available to support crime victims in our community. Congressman Larson has and continues to be one of our fiercest federal advocates and fought for these funds every step of the way,” said Andrew Woods, Executive Director, Hartford Communities That Care, Inc.

“We’re so fortunate to have an advocate like Congressman Larson. His bold vision and unwavering commitment led to this funding, allowing us to build a beautiful new park and, more importantly, expand access to the Connecticut River, reconnect Hartford’s North End neighborhood to the river, and ultimately, to the region,” said Michael Zaleski, President & CEO of Riverfront Recapture. Riverfront Recapture has led efforts to revitalize the riverfront in Hartford and East Hartford since 1981.

“The Community Funding Project will enable CCAT to provide valuable resources to small manufacturers throughout our community as we lead new and innovative programs that directly address the critical need to assist people in returning to work. With the support of Congressman Larson, the Connecticut Manufacturing & Technology CommUNITY eCommons will establish a collaborative platform to jump-start a career revolution for manufacturing. The CommUNITY eCommons will bring together state and municipal systems that address employer needs, educational resources, and job seeker support. The funding will amplify the work that Lynn Raicik and her team have accomplished over the last year and enable CCAT to continue being a vital intermediary between employers and career candidates,” said Ron Angelo, CCAT’s President & Chief Executive Officer.

“We are so grateful to Congressman Larson for his support of Hartford400 and his tireless efforts to secure funding for this vital work. Thanks to his stewardship, the region will become more sustainable, prosperous, equitable, mobile, and vibrant,” said Jackie Gorsky Mandyck, Executive Director, The iQuilt Partnership.

“The Hockanum River Linear Trail is East Hartford’s primary walking trail and its preservation and rehabilitation are essential for encouraging active and outdoor recreation in our community. Thank you to Congressman Larson for his continued support of our community. The recently-approved $700,000 will ensure the Hockanum River Linear Trail continues to remain a favorite spot amongst our residents and visitors to our town,” said East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh. “The funding to acquire the Post Office will not only help us ensure preservation of the historic building, but will allow us to expand the footprint of the Raymond library with the goal of providing more exciting and unique library services for the East Hartford community.

“Additionally the funding for levee systems is a critical investment for our town and it will allow us to conduct a feasibility study to help identify and remediate deficiencies. This will maintain the functionality of our levee system for the safety and protection of our residents against potential hazardous weather occurrences,” Mayor Walsh continued.