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PUTNAM — Governor Ned Lamont announced that Putnam’s Belding mill will receive $2 million grant to remediate the blighted parcel.
A total of $24.6 million in stand funding was parceled out to 16 towns in Connecticut with the purpose of putting them back in to productive use.
The grant and loan funding are from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. The state assistance is expected to leverage approximately $625 million in private funding and will help in the investigation and clean-up of approximately 86 acres of land.
The $2 million grant is to remediate the former mill, a 1.85-acre site at 107 Providence Street. Redevelopment plans by Camden Management Partners, Inc., include a mixed-use development with 120 affordable mixed-income residential units and 5,000 square feet of commercial office and recreational space.
Also receiving a grant is Windham. A $123,000 grant will be used to remediate the former Knight’s Oil Property on Main Street. Redevelopment plans by Lyman Development Corp., include construction of a new retail building that will be built-to-suit based on the selected tenant.
“Cleaning up blighted properties that have been vacant for decades and putting them into productive use will ultimately generate private investment equal to many times these state grants,” Lamont said. “If we remediate these properties now, we can turn an eyesore into an asset, revitalize neighborhoods, and transform otherwise unusable property into new space for businesses and residents.”
“These are smart investments that will boost vibrancy, expand housing opportunities, and spur commercial growth,” DECD Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Daum said.
“Remediation of brownfields is critically important for the health of our environment, and the health of our communities,” Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “Ensuring that these sites are properly cleaned up will contribute to safer communities and will open the door to significant economic benefit once remediated. Brownfield locations are also the wise choice for development and growth, as these properties and the surrounding areas have had significant infrastructure investments in water, sewer, transportation, and energy. I applaud Governor Lamont and our DECD partners for their continued stewardship of the state’s impactful Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, and congratulate the municipalities awarded funding this grant round. We at DEEP look forward to positive transformation of these sites into productive community assets.”
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