Dear Friend, 

I just wrapped up another week of work in eastern Connecticut during the August recess, and I'm here with an update on ways we can protect ourselves from fraud, federal funding at work in Killingly, and more. Thanks for starting your weekend here with me.

Another Milestone for the Virginia-Class Submarine Program 

This week, EB shipbuilders conducted PCU Iowa’s “float-off” in Groton, another milestone for the Virginia-class submarine program. This would not have been possible without the teamwork that made the repairs to the drydock after it was damaged by a cold snap freeze in February. 
 
Two Virginia were commissioned last year – Oregon and Montana. Two more will be commissioned in the coming months – Rickover and New Jersey. After this week, the future USS Idaho will take Iowa’s place in EB’s shipyard bay. 

The PCU Iowa "float-off"

The 2-per-year “conga line” keeps moving despite naysayers’ mindless second-guessing of the productivity and capacity of the U.S. submarine industrial base. Thanks to talented shipbuilders and continued Congressional investment in the submarine industrial base, EB has met the call. Next, the Iowa heads to sea trials. I wish Skippers—Captain Quintin James and Commander Matthew Powell—and the Iowa’s crew success.  

Protecting Ourselves from Fraud 

This summer has seen a high tide in fraud, part of a disturbing trend. Americans lost almost $9 billion to fraud in 2022. That’s 30% more than the previous year, and here in Connecticut, people reported over 19,000 cases of fraud – primarily through imposter scams, like a car warranty offer, and online shopping scams. There were also over 8,000 reported cases of identity theft in the state in 2022 – which is significantly higher than most states. Personally, I continue to hear stories of scammers targeting people in the Second District, and unfortunately, our older residents are experiencing the greatest financial loss.  

Last week, Rep. Courtney convened an information session with the FTC's Karen O’Connell at the Rose City Senior Center to help seniors fight fraud.

We need to spread the word on the scams that are out there and steps we can take to protect ourselves. I recently invited the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Karen O’Connell to Norwich’s Rose City Senior Center to share information on how to identify common scams and report them. I encourage seniors to visit a local senior center or visit ftc.gov/scams to learn more and report any suspicious activity to reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Click here for more information on fraud from the FTC

Federal Funding Delivers for Killingly 

I recently visited Killingly to deliver two federal grants and see how the funding is being put to use.

First, I stopped by Ballouville Mill with Town Manager Mary Calorio, Town Council Chair Jason Anderson, Chair of Economic Development William Cheng, Director of Economic Development Jill St. Clair, and more local officials. The former manufacturing site has been abandoned since the 1970s and is fraught with structural challenges. The site was also regularly used as a dumping ground for toxic chemicals, making it costly and complicated to rehabilitate.  

Now, thanks to a $800,000 federal Brownfield Grant via the federal Infrastructure Law, Killingly will be able to begin assessing and rehabilitating the land for a future affordable housing complex. This will draw in new, exciting opportunity for residents, businesses, and the community.  

Last week, Rep. Courtney joined Killingly Town Manager Town Manager Mary Calorio, Town Council Chair Jason Anderson,Town Council Vice Chair Kevin Kerttula, Town Planner Johnathan Blake, Natural Resources Officer Allison Brady, Chair of Economic Development William Cheng, Vice Chair of Economic Development Todd Cooke, and Director of Economic Development Jill St. Clair at the Ballouville Mill

The grant will also allow the town to assess the Danielson-Putnam Twin Drive-In to support future emergency services, as well as replace the Borough Wastewater Treatment Facility to support critical infrastructure needs. There’s still a lot of work ahead to rehabilitate the land, but this federal grant will go a long way to assessing and cleaning up the land for future economic opportunity. Congratulations to Killingly for their persistence in securing this federal funding and thank you for sharing an update on the project. 
 
Killingly’s $800,000 grant is part of a larger initiative made possible by the Infrastructure Law that is delivering federal grants across eastern Connecticut to clean up land stymied by abandoned properties. Many of these projects will open the door to new housing construction, which is an important step to meeting heightened demand for housing across the region.

After stopping by the Ballouville Mill, I went over to the Killingly Historical Society to deliver a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. The funding will support community engagement, arts programming, and public art that celebrates the local Laotian and greater Southeast Asian communities – which have strong roots in Killingly. 

Then, Rep. Courtney joined Killingly Historical Society President Bernie Mitchell, Board of Director's Member Lynn La Berge, Town Historian Margaret Weaver, Librarian Director Claudette Stockwell, and more at the Killingly Historical Society

In fact, back in the late 1970s, families in Killingly sponsored Laotian refuges at the end of the Vietnam war, and now, Killingly is home to a vibrant Laotian community. The new grant will allow the Historical Society to showcase their stories and their connection to Killingly’s identity. Thank you to Historical Society President Bernie Mitchell, Board of Directors Member Lynn La Berge, and Town Historian Margaret Weaver for sharing your work with me and for your work to help secure this grant.

Recognizing the Farmer’s Cow & Celebrating 70 Years of the SBA 

On Monday, I joined the Farmer's Cow,  the Small Business Administration, and town and state officials at Hytone Farm in Coventry to celebrate 70 years of the SBA and recognize the Farmer’s Cow as an SBA legacy business. For two decades, the Farmer's Cow has forged partnerships with family-owned farms in eastern CT. Dairy farms are pillars of our rural communities, and SBA programs help them grow their operation. As co-chair of the Congressional Dairy Caucus, I'll continue working in Washington and with farmers here in the Second District to provide them with the support they need, including from SBA programs.

On Monday, Rep. Courtney joined Hytone Farm Owners Greg and William Peracchio, SBA Connecticut District Director Catherine Marx, State Senator Jeff Gordon, State Representative Tim Ackert, Town Manager James Drumm, Town Council Chair Lisa Thomas, Jim Allyn of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and many more eastern CT Dairy Farmers at Hytone Farm in Coventry

From farming to manufacturing to retail and entertainment, we have a thriving small business community in eastern Connecticut.  They're an essential part of our economy –employing a high percentage of our state's workforce – and are a huge part of what makes our towns fantastic places to live. Federal investments coming into our region and a growing shipbuilding workforce are creating a spiderweb of opportunities in eastern Connecticut's economy, and the Connecticut District of the SBA is working to help small businesses seize them. Click here to learn more about SBA Connecticut and here to learn about SBA funding programs.

Thank you for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Joe Courtney
Member of Congress

OFFICE LOCATIONS