April 21, 2023

Rep. Bronko Welcomes $3 Million in Funding for Naugatuck Industrial Park Project

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NAUGATUCK, CT – Today, state Senators Joan Hartley and Jorge Cabrera, state Representatives David Labriola and Seth Bronko, and Naugatuck Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess III held a press conference to welcome the approval of $3 million by the board of the Community Investment Fund 2030 for the facilitation of the redevelopment of the 86-acre site formerly known as the Uniroyal Chemical/United States Rubber Company at the former Chemical Facility at 280 Elm Street.

“The vision for this project is that it serves as a springboard for economic growth and job creation in Naugatuck and beyond. We’re talking about the potential for multiple uses, both commercial and industrial, and hundreds of local jobs,” said Rep. Seth Bronko, R-Naugatuck. “This is so valuable for the region and the future of the Borough and I wanted to thank the Board for approving this project.”

The $3 million in state funding would advance phase III of the Naugatuck Industrial Park project by supporting the construction of permanent and temporary access roads. Local, matching funds are envisioned for complementary actions at the site including, but not limited to demolition of remaining foundations, drainage improvements, and mass earthwork/soil management to prepare the site for construction pads. These collective improvements would enable the ultimate redevelopment of the 86-acre site for light industrial and commercial uses, which has already piqued the attention of several interested parties. On top of spurring private investment and economic development, Naugatuck believes the fully realized regional project could create between 150-450 jobs.

“These funds will provide a huge boost in economic growth for our town and region,” said Rep. David Labriola. “We all worked together to obtain this valuable grant for the Borough of Naugatuck.”

“This funding approval is significant for advancing the Naugatuck Industrial Project. Step by step, we are working closer to putting this 80-plus acre site back into productive use and growing the tax base, while unlocking the job creation benefits this project holds for the Naugatuck Valley,” said Sen. Hartley. “Many thanks to my partners in the Naugatuck delegation and Mayor Hess for their collaborative advocacy of this project. Also, I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the members of the Community Investment Fund 2030 board for recognizing how the project is a win-win for economic growth on the local and state level.”

“The Naugatuck Industrial Park project will create jobs and anytime we can make an investment in a job creating venture it is great for our residents and our state,” said Sen. Cabrera. “I am grateful to the Community Investment Fund Board and my colleagues in the delegation and the governor for advancing this project.”

“We are in the final stages of road design and we expect to commence construction this year,” said Mayor Hess III. “We are also thrilled with the level of interest in the Park from a host of industrial uses.”

The Community Investment Fund 2030 is a five-year grant program, enacted in the 2021 legislative session, dedicated to fostering economic development in communities that have been historically underserved. Eligible projects under the program include brownfield remediation, small business support programs, and infrastructure.