Conn. awards $17M for industrial site cleanups
HARTFORD, Conn.—Connecticut economic development officials have awarded more than $17 million to pay for costly and complicated environmental cleanups of polluted industrial and manufacturing sites.
Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, says cleaning and redeveloping the so-called brownfields will revitalize cities and towns. The awards include about $13 million in loans and $4.6 million in grants.
Funding will go directly to municipalities, businesses, developers and regional development agencies for environmental assessment, planning, design, demolition, construction and land acquisition.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the legislature earlier this year enacted a law that makes money available for redevelopment. It also shields developers from liability if contamination leaches onto property. State officials say that provision helps encourage development.
