Ledyard Passed Over For State Main Street Grant

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday that 14 Connecticut towns will receive almost $5 million from the Main Street Investment Fund (MSIF), at a press conference held at the Berlin Town Hall rotunda.

Ledyard is not one of them.

Mayor John Rodolico said in an email after the governor's announcement: "It is disappointing that Ledyard was once again passed over for a sorely needed and deserving investment Main Street Investment Fund (MSIF) grant.  This funding would have been used for improvements in the Gales Ferry District along the Route 12 corridor, part of a vision dating back to the UConn study.  It is especially frustrating to see a significant portion of the state funding going to the "Gold Coast", very little to SE CT, and none to surrounding communities."

The town had sought $500,000.

The closest town to Ledyard to receive a grant is Griswold, which will receive $265,000 to fund the cost of poles, light fixtures, and resurfacing the sidewalk for a sidewalk lighting project.  A total of 44 poles/lights will be installed.

Other communities that received funding are: Ansonia, Berlin, Burlington, Canaan, Canton, Colchester, Cornwall, Essex, Fairfield, Killingly, Mansfield, New Canaan and Westport.

Rodolico included state Sen. Cathy Osten and Rep. Timothy Bowles on his email, and they both responded that they too were disappointed, and proposed a meeting with Ledyard planning officials to discuss options.

In his email, Rodolico said, "We are still awaiting news on the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) Grants which have been submitted for continued improvements to Ledyard Center.  Our thanks to our elected state officials for the support they have provided throughout this process.  Be assured we will continue to aggressively pursue responsible, appropriate, and practical commercial development which will meet the needs of our citizens."