House Republican Press Release

September 25, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

$500,000 in ‘STEAP’ Funding for Southbury Senior & Shelter Project Announced

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that $500,000 in new state funding will soon be available to help pay for the construction of a new senior/community center and emergency shelter in Southbury. The funding comes from the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) that is to be approved at the next meeting of the State Bond Commission.

“The town of Southbury is looking out for the long-range best interests of its seniors and the community with this innovative project. It will provide a great new senior and community center as well as a shelter that will be open to all families and citizens in times of emergency,” Governor Rell said. “This is a smart project that will also make Southbury an even more attractive place to live. Attracting new citizens means expanding the tax base, and that benefits the town in over the long term.”

The Governor noted that the town itself is making a substantial investment in this $1.5 million project and is not relying entirely on the state for funding.

Governor Rell applauded the efforts of state Senator Lou DeLuca and Representatives Arthur O’Neill and David Labriola, all of whom represent parts of Southbury in the General Assembly, for their work on this project.

            “Governor Rell listens to the needs of our small towns and takes action,” Senator DeLuca said. “She has joined with the people of Southbury to make this farsighted community project a reality. I thank the Governor for her leadership.”

            “We have been formulating this project for some time now and, as the one who moderated the town meeting where this project was debated earlier, it is especially gratifying that everything is now falling into place for the benefit of Southbury citizens young and old,” Representative O’Neill said. “Governor Rell is to be commended for helping our town realize this dream.”

            Representative Labriola called the project “a terrific example of the state-local partnership that is a hallmark of Governor Rell’s administration. Thank you, Governor Rell.”

A total of $20 million has been authorized for more than 100 small towns under the STEAP program this fiscal year.  The Bond Commission will meet Friday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.