Zupkus, Adinolfi laud Cheshire’s W. Main Street STEAP grant

CHESHIRE – State lawmakers from the town of Cheshire today applauded a $500,000 grant from the state-funded Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) for streetlights and brick sidewalks along West Main Street, calling it an economic investment that will boost the town’s local business.

State Reps. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) and Al Adinolfi (R-103) worked with legislative leaders over the past few months to secure the grant money for their town, which is issued through the State Bond Commission for capital projects. The Cheshire grant, Adinolfi and Zupkus say, will benefit residents and businesses alike.

“The people of Cheshire have long paid their financial dues to the state,” Adinolfi said. “Now we are seeing their hard-earned tax dollars return to town, return to West Main Street. The residents that live in this area and the small businesses that dot the busy road will reap a number of benefits from this grant.”

Streetscape improvements on West Main Street have been a focus for the town and the state, which has awarded Cheshire approximately $1 million in STEAP funding over the past few years with Adinolfi’s help. The entire West Main Street streetscape project is expected to cost between $1.2 million and $1.5 million.

“We want to create a business-friendly environment both locally and throughout Connecticut,” Zupkus said. “This grant will assist the hard working people of Cheshire who already call West Main Street ‘home’ and will help generate more business while controlling traffic flow in the commercial district. We are one step closer to this incredible project’s completion.”

STEAP funding, allocated through the Office of Policy and Management, funds economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects for localities that are ineligible to receive Urban Action bonds.