HARTFORD — The state is inviting municipalities and economic development agencies to apply for $7.5 million in state grants to clean up former industrial states.
The Department of Economic and Community Development is accepting applications for funding to redevelop so-called brownfields. The intent is to bring new life and investment to abandoned, blighted and vacant properties.
Cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated property protects health and the environment while spurring economic growth. Economic development officials say more than $6.50 from non-state partners was committed for every dollar spent by the state on projects funded in the last budget year.
Numerous towns and cities have industrial sites that are reminders of Connecticut’s manufacturing past. Soil could be polluted by oil or toxic materials left behind before environmental regulations were established.
Applications must be submitted by Nov. 16.
