Norwalk Receives $1.75M In Community Investment Funds: CT Rep. Simms

News release from Connecticut House Democrats:

NORWALK, CT — State Representative Travis Simms is pleased to announce the Community Investment Fund has recommended funding two vital Norwalk projects totaling $1.75 million.

Open Door Shelter, Inc., which Rep. Simms has personally championed, would receive $250,000 for its campus expansion project. Project Open Doors' mission is to end homelessness in the Greater Norwalk region by guiding every person in the cycle of being unhoused 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.

Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail would receive $1.5 million for the completion of the Norwalk portion of the Norwalk River Valley Trail. The NRVT is a recreational and transportation amenity in Norwalk that, once finished, will run from Norwalk to Danbury.

"As a state representative for Norwalk, I am pleased that both Open Door Shelter and Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail are receiving CIF grants for their respective missions," Rep. Simms said. "I want to thank the CIF board for recommending funding these important projects, which serve as a reminder that while its funding for infrastructure, the money that goes toward them are really investments in people. I will continue to serve as a tireless advocate for more funding for Norwalk and the region to improve all residents' quality of life."

CIF is a statewide funding program available to eligible towns and nonprofits within them, based on need. Applicants – either municipalities or a nonprofit – can submit applications multiple times annually. This round of funding totaled $77.1 million.

The state bonding commission will vote on the CIF board recommendations at its upcoming meeting.