$21.8 Million in State Grants to New Britain Organizations and Schools Announced

Four prominent New Britain organizations and two schools are receiving what totals millions of dollars in grants from funding allocated by the State Bond Commission at its July 25, 2018 meeting. The grants allow the organizations and schools to purchase, expand or renovate facilities used for the services that they provide.

The grants, totaling $21.8 million, were announced by State Senator Terry Gerratana in an email message sent to constituents on July 30th.

“Thanks to this funding,” Sen. Gerratana said, “local mental and medical health facilities, and family centers can now move forward with making much-needed improvements so that residents of New Britain may continue to enjoy their services for many more years.”

The State Bond Commission voted to approve a $3,000,000, “Grant-in-aid to Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. to assist with acquisition of 233 Main Street in New Britain to provide for consolidation of administrative offices and
outpatient behavioral health clinics.”

The Commission approved a $614,757, “Grant-in-aid to Klingberg Family Centers, Inc. in New Britain to assist with replacement of the boiler in the Raymond Hill Special Education School and for completion of the conference center.”

Sen. Gerratana reported that the Bond Commission allocated, “$7,850,000 to the Community Health Center, Inc. for various improvement projects at facilities statewide, including renovations and improvements to 1 Washington Square in New Britain.”

These three grants were provided under funding legislatively authorized for “urban development projects including economic and community development, transportation, environmental protection, public safety, children and families and social service projects…”

The Commission allocated $10,000,000 for, “a grant-in-aid to the Center of Special Care, Inc. Hospital for Special Care in New Britain to assist with expansion of its inpatient facilities for youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

The item considered by the Bond Commission said that the Hospital for Special Care project, “includes a 12 bed inpatient unit, partial hospital program to serve 10 youth and related support, training and therapy space.” The project is estimated to cost $16,680,000 total, with the remaining $6,680,000 coming from fundraising.

The Commission also voted to provide a $380,000 to Northend and Smith Schools as part of a program, “to provide grants-in-aid for improvements to various Commissioner’s Network Schools.” The purpose of this program is, “alterations, repairs, improvements, technology and equipment to help address building and site deficiencies, and to promote the health, safety, and learning of the students.”

The State Bond Commission consists of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the State Comptroller, the State Attorney General, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Chairpersons and the Ranking Members of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. The state website says that the purpose of the Bond Commission is to, “Approve project funding requests on an agenda submitted by the Governor,” and, “the amount and timing of bond sales as requested by the State Treasurer.”