Norwalk Receives $1.75 Million For Economic Development Project

NORWALK, CT — The city of Norwalk is one of 35 Connecticut municipalities to recently receive state funds for economic development projects, according to a news release from Gov. Ned Lamont's office.

Here are the details:

Municipality: Norwalk

Grant Recipient: Open Door Shelter, Inc.

Award Amount: $250,000

Description: “Campus Expansion Project” – The mission of Open Doors is to end homelessness in the greater Norwalk region by guiding every person in the cycle of homelessness toward housing stability. Open Doors intends to develop a plan to expand its operations within the South Norwalk neighborhood by assessing its existing housing portfolio and exploring the acquisition of abutting properties.

Municipality: Norwalk

Grant Recipient: Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail

Award Amount: $1,500,000

Description: “Glover Ave Spur” – The Norwalk River Valley Trail is a recreational and transportation amenity in Norwalk and once completed will run from Danbury to Norwalk. This project proposes the completion of the Norwalk section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail.

The funds are part of $77 million in state funding to support the sixth round of grants under the Community Investment Fund 2030.

Overall, the sixth grant round supports 35 economic development projects in 21 towns and cities across Connecticut.

"Through this grant program, we are helping municipalities throughout Connecticut make improvements in underserved areas that will enhance their economic vibrancy and revitalize neighborhoods," Lamont, who is also the chairman of the State Bond Commission, said in a news release. "I am glad that we can partner with these towns and cities and other organizations to make these improvements that will drive growth in our state."

The Community Investment Fund was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and Lamont in 2022 to support economic development in historically underserved communities across the state.

Eligible projects include capital improvements, such as those focused on affordable housing, brownfield remediation, infrastructure, and public facilities, as well as small business support programs that provide revolving loans, gap financing, microloans, or start-up financing.

"The Community Investment Fund is one of the most transformative economic development tools we’ve created in recent years," Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) said in a news release. "These grants are targeted investments to uplift underserved communities, assist struggling nonprofit social service organizations, promote equity, and spur long-term economic growth across Connecticut. I am proud to see this funding approved and look forward to its meaningful impact on cities and towns throughout our state."

More details on the other projects around the state that will benefit from the grant money can be found here.