Towns reap benefits of state STEAP funds

SALISBURY — Five Northwest Corner towns will receive state grants totaling $900,000, Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced last week.

The Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants provide funds to eligible towns for economic development, community conservation and quality-of-life projects.

Cornwall is getting $150,000 to continue the town’s facade improvement program, to install tourism signs and to complete traffic calming measures.  

The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village will receive $200,000 to make physical improvements: stabilizing the library’s foundation and brickwork, waterproofing the basement and providing handicapped and fire access to the second floor. 

Kent is slated for $100,000 to renovate the Kent Community House, including interior and exterior painting, removal and replacement of existing table and chair storage, and installation of an audio/visual system. 

The Union Station restoration project in North Canaan gets an infusion of $200,000, and in Salisbury $250,000 has been allocated to help with the ongoing renovations to the Salisbury Winter Sports Association ski  jumping facility.

To be eligible for a STEAP grant a town must have a population of less than 30,000 residents, not be designated as a distressed municipality or a public investment community and not have an urban center.

The state Office of Policy and Management administers the program and individual projects are managed by several state agencies.

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