House Republican Press Release

October 30, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

GREENWICH DELEGATION: ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR AREA PROJECTS

“Dollars for Cos Cob Power Plant Cleanup”

HARTFORD– State Representatives Livvy R. Floren, R-149th District, Lile R. Gibbons,R-150th District and Claudia “Dolly” Powers, R- 151st District, along with other legislative leaders announced that the state bonding package being voted on today by the General Assembly will include two grants for Greenwich projects and two for Stamford with money included for bridge repairs and inspections.

In the bond package, Greenwich will receive grants-in-aid in the amount of $1,500,000 for renovation of existing or construction of new exhibition areas, teaching spaces and the science gallery at the Bruce Museum which is a Natural History, Historical and Art Museum.

"Funding for worthwhile projects in education, health care, public safety and the environment are the hallmarks of this bonding package. The legislation is a giant step forward for Connecticut,” said Rep. Floren.

Greenwich will also receive $2,000,000 for remediation of brownfields at the Cos Cob Power Plant site. Once remediation is complete, Greenwich would move ahead with a town plan for passive recreational use to ensure its use and future facilities take advantage of its waterfront position.

Rep. Gibbons, “The expansion of the Bruce Museum and the remediation of the Cos Cob brown fields are two local projects of great importance to Greenwich residents.  The state grants approved today are critical for continued progress on these projects."

Rep. Powers added, “Working together, our Greenwich delegation once again brings home the bacon for the next major step on the Cos Cob Power Plant property and our famous Bruce Museum.”

Stamford will receive a $500,000 grant in support of the Stamford Hospital Foundation for purchase of a women's digital mobile mammography unit. The mobile mammography units reduce cost and patient burden of mammography, and therefore might enhance screening rates among underserved populations.

Additionally, the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut in Stamford will receive $2,000,000 for expansion. The Child Guidance Center is a professionally staffed outpatient mental health center for children and adolescents who experience psychological, behavioral, developmental, social or family problems.

The state bonding package also includes $90 million over the next two years for bridge repair and inspection which establishing the Fix-it-First program for bridges throughout Connecticut and $415 million to fund municipal clean water projects around the state.

“I have advocated for these clean water funds for years”, Rep. Gibbons added. “These dollars are crucial in order to preserve our most significant environmental treasure, Long Island Sound.

Additional bonding monies were approved for the Maritime Museum and Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, major tourist attractions visited by many Greenwich families.

The passage of the state bonding package is the first step in the legislative process. The bill then goes to the Governor for her signature. After that, the funds for the bonding projects must be allocated from the State Bond Commission which is chaired by the Governor.