Press Releases
05/19/2022
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ, TRUMBULL ELECTED OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE GRANT-IN-AID FOR NEW VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS CENTER
(TRUMBULL, CT) – Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Trumbull elected and town officials announced a $1.5 million grant-in-aid to the town of Trumbull to pay for construction costs to create the new Trumbull Veterans and First Responders Center.
When completed, the new center will provide access to jobs, healthcare, and workforce training for the region's 30,000 veterans. It will also serve as a central location for veteran's services like health screenings and job training, allowing veterans to access different resources and opportunities if they are struggling or returning to civilian life.
“I want to thank Governor Lamont for these bonding dollars, and with them this new center will be able to serve those veterans and first responders who have served our communities for so long,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “It’s important to remember that we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have today because of their courage, their bravery, and their sacrifice. This new center will be a great asset to the town of Trumbull, and the entire state of Connecticut.”
On top of all of the programs the center will provide, it will also house a training facility and a meeting facility for Local Police, Fire and EMS.
Located on Kaatz Pond, this project is expected to cost around $3 million dollars, and the local Trumbull officials and the Trumbull Veterans and First Responder Center Building Committee are pursing federal funding to pay for the remaining $1.5 million balance.
“Thank you to First Selectman Tesoro and the First Responders Building Committee for your hard work towards this project and thank you to Governor Lamont and Lt. Governor Bysiewicz for your support,” said State Senator Marilyn Moore. “I’m proud of the work we are doing here for the 30,000+ veterans in the area. I want to thank our veterans who so unselfishly serve our country. No matter how long ago they served, we appreciate the sacrifices they made for all of us to live in a country that is free, and in the home of the brave. As Senate Bonding Chair, I’m proud to be able to do this, especially for our veterans. “
“We are always grateful to our veterans and our first responders for their sacrifices. The pandemic has brought new training requirements for our first responders and a need for more services for veterans,” said First Selectman Vicki Tesoro. “We are many steps closer to the construction of the Veterans and First Responders Center on Kaatz Pond. I want to thank State Senator Marilyn Moore for her leadership in securing $1.5 million in state funding and our state legislative delegation for their support of this project and the state funding.
“Thank you to the Governor for funding this super important project for the town of Trumbull, especially for our veterans,” said State Representative David Rutigliano. “Thank you to the advocacy of Ray and all of our other veterans for getting this done, and especially to Sen. Moore. We find there is a lot of value to this project, and I’m glad that you all recognize that there is value to it too and for that, we are very grateful.”
“I want to add my thanks to Governor Lamont and First Selectmen Tesero for their support, but particularly Sen. Moore for her advocacy in this project,” said Ray Baldwin, former Trumbull First Selectman and chair of the Trumbull Veterans & First Responders Building Committee. “Early on, she saw the value and bought into the project, advocating for us up in Hartford, as well as the rest of our legislative delegation. The building will also allow civic organizations and legislative bodies in our community a place to meet, and provide a gathering place for people in the community to rent for events, generating income for the VFW and American Legion.”
Commanders of both Trumbull Memorial Post 1059 and Americo V. Napolitano Post 141 gave their thanks to Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz and the Trumbull legislative delegation, along with all of the veterans in the region.
###
For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 19, 2022
Contact: Chelsea Neelon