Case applauds governor in announcing Winsted STEAP grant

WINSTED – State Rep. Jay Case (R-63) applauded the Malloy administration’s announcement of a $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant Friday afternoon for the old Lambert Kay building — an aid in repurposing the facility.

Case is calling the announcement a “strong investment into Winsted’s economic development” for a brownfield site that “could become a thriving center of life and growth.”

“For years, the taxpayers of Winsted and its surrounding communities have helped fund other state-picked development sites while watching from the sidelines,” Case said. “Now we’re playing ball. We can see our hard-earned and well-deserved tax dollars coming back into our community, and that’s a cause for celebration. I appreciate the Malloy administration understanding how important Winsted is to the state and for recognizing its potential.”

Case worked with State Reps. Livvy Floren (R-19) and Betty Boukus (D-22) during the 2014 legislative session to secure the competitive state-funded grant. “It’s proof,” Case said, “that we can work across party lines to improve the lives of Connecticut residents.”

STEAP, administered by the Office of Policy and Management, funds economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects for smaller municipalities.

The 35,000-square-foot Lambert Kay mill building has been vacant for over two decades.