Press Releases
10/18/2022
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ, CLINTON ELECTED & TOWN OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE RECENT STEAP GRANT FOR TOWN OF CLINTON
(CLINTON, CT) – Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Clinton elected & town officials announced a Small-Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant allocation of $500,000 for an upgrade to the town’s radio communication system. This allocation will be matched by $182,000 from the town.
The grants are provided through the STEAP, a state program managed by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.
“This new radio communications system will be an incredible and invaluable asset for local police to provide better service and public safety to Clinton and surrounding areas,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “It’s imperative that our state’s police forces are equipped with up-to-date technology and resources they need to be able to assist the public they serve. These upgrades will allow for better communication and efficiency between dispatch, fellow officers, and the Clinton emergency departments as a whole.”
Last month, Governor Ned Lamont announced $31.3 million in state grants for 77 small towns in Connecticut to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as the road safety reconstruction projects, sewer and drainage upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, and other kinds of capital improvement projects.
“This funding from the state will be incredibly beneficial in aiding upgrades to the town’s radio communications systems,” said Senator Norm Needleman. “It will mean public safety operations in Clinton become more effective and matches town-side funding to allow collaboration between the town and state. I’m looking forward to seeing the work underway.”
“This funding will allow for the critical upgrades to Clinton’s first responders dispatch and radio equipment,” said State Representative Christine Goupil. “It also supports the 35th District and our collaborative mutual aid emergency response agreements with our surrounding towns. I’m thankful for the partnerships with our legislative leadership, the Governor’s Office and representatives on the local level to leverage state resources for public safety and our community.”
Towns seeking funding under this round of STEAP grants were required to submit applications to the state by August 15, 2022. Funding to support these grants was approved at the March 31, 2022, meeting of the State Bond Commission, a group that Governor Lamont leads as chairperson.
“Projects like Clinton’s radio system upgrade underscores the importance of the STEAP program to small towns in Connecticut as a tool to fund local priorities. But for the STEAP program, many projects that benefit small towns would not move forward,” said Clinton Town Manager Karl Kilduff.
“I’d like to thank the Lt. Governor for coming down to Clinton today to highlight this project. This STEAP grant is something that we can all be proud of. I also want to thank Town Manager Karl Kilduff, who has put in the work on our side to submit this grant to the state. On behalf of the Town Council, we want to thank everyone that was involved in this project and for this STEAP grant, which will go a long way in helping our town of Clinton,” said Town Council Chair Chris Aniskovich.
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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 18th, 2022
Contact: Chelsea Neelon