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Dear Friend,
After a busy week in Congress, I’m now back home in eastern Connecticut. Here with an update on housing development, Infrastructure Law funding for local airports, and more. Thanks as always for starting your weekend here with me.
Federal Tax Credits Support New Housing Construction
America is in dire need of more housing, and eastern Connecticut is no exception. In Congress, I’m working to incentivize more development through housing tax credits. Recently, I visited the Wellington housing development in Madison – which will add 27 new units, 24 of which are affordable.
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| The Welling at Madison housing development comes through a collaboration between the HOPE Partnership, the Caleb Foundation, and the Town of Madison. |
The Wellington project is made possible by federal, state, and private resources. The federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LITHC) in particular has delivered a significant boost to the project. Across eastern Connecticut, LITHC has been an effective tool to create new, mixed-income housing. Over the last 20 years, the tax credit has supported the construction of around one quarter of all new apartment buildings nationwide.
In January, the House passed a bipartisan tax relief bill which would expand the reach of LITHC. The measure, if signed into law, is expected to lead to 200,000 new homes nationwide. The bill passed the House by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 357-70. The Senate must act and send the bill to the President’s desk.
The Infrastructure Law Delivers for Regional Airports
From the Quiet Corner to the Shoreline, eastern CT’s regional airports produce millions of dollars in economic output each year. The Infrastructure Law has delivered federal funding for Danielson, Windham, and Groton-New London Airports to make capacity and safety upgrades.
Last week, I visited the Groton-New London Airport to meet with the Connecticut Airport Authority, its Chairman Tony Sheridan and CEO Kevin Dillon, and hear how the upgrades will support operations – like at the excellent National Guard hanger – and the long-term goal of bringing commercial flights to the airport. In the ATC tower, Air Traffic Manager Chet Moore, pictured below, updated me on the critical work of controllers to keep the runways safe and efficient.
Projects like runway surface improvements, lighting, and snow removal equipment purchases have long been on the airport's docket, and now, Infrastructure Law funding is making them possible.
Meeting the Needs of Veterans
Veterans should not need to go through a challenging process to acquire the benefits they've earned. My office works with eastern CT veterans to streamline their cases with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Last week, my Military and Veterans Representative Manny Meneses (USN, Ret.) and I visited the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center at their new office in downtown New London. The group provides cost-free legal support to veterans accessing benefits, and we discussed how we can work together for eastern Connecticut’s veterans.
Then, on Monday, I joined the ribbon cutting for the new commissary at the Eastern CT Veterans Community Center in Willimantic. The commissary was opened in collaboration with CT Foodshare and offers veterans and families in need with groceries and personal items including bedding and clothing. Currently, around 60 veterans are using the commissary, which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
This is another excellent addition to the services the Community Center provides to local veterans. Thank you to incoming Community Center Director Reverend Roger Bolduk and outgoing Director Diane Nadeau for welcoming me to the exciting ribbon cutting.
Celebrating Read Across America Day
Tomorrow, March 2nd, is National Read Across America Day – a celebration of literacy and the benefits of reading for children and young adults.
I marked the day last Friday with Vernon’s Blue Ribbon-awarded Northeast Elementary School and joined Ms. Harrison’s energetic 1st grade class to read Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don’t) by Barbara Bottner. My son Bobby honed his own reading skills as a student at the Northeast Elementary School thanks to the great teachers!
Thank you to Director of Teaching and Learning Melissa Trantolo, Principal Dr. Brenda Greene, Ms. Fallon Harrison, and her great students for welcoming me. They love to read!
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
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