Dear Friends,

March brought spring to Connecticut and robust federal funding to important projects across our community. Read on for updates about local businesses, community initiatives, and major funding wins for Southwest Connecticut.

Investing in Our Community

Congress passed the final package of government funding bills this month, avoiding a shutdown and delivering billions to update our aging infrastructure, support healthcare research, protect our environment and more. I fought hard to secure project-specific funding for priorities in our district and am happy to report that $14.1 million will be invested right here in Southwest Connecticut.

I joined some of the organizations spearheading these projects to celebrate their hard-earned federal funding. The Boys and Girls Club of Stamford received $500,000 to install a new security system and make long-overdue repairs to their facility that houses programming and services for 1,600 children grades K-12. Another $500,000 will go towards the Bridge on Main project led by Career Resources Inc., an effort to convert vacant retail space in downtown Bridgeport into a resource center that provides workforce training and counseling services to formerly incarcerated citizens and their families.

Touring the Stamford Boys and Girls Club with Mayor Caroline Simmons.

Supporting Mental Health Advocacy

I led a roundtable conversation in Norwalk that brought together law enforcement officials, social workers, addiction recovery counselors, and mental health advocates to highlight ongoing mental health initiatives across our district and enhance interagency cooperation. We left the event better prepared to respond to mental health crises and provide our neighbors with the recovery resources they may need. Thank you to everyone who contributed their wisdom to the conversation!

Leading a mental health roundtable with community stakeholders.

Encouraging Local Business

Local entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. In 2023 alone, Connecticut boasted nearly 50,000 new business applications. It was a privilege to visit Monroe-based Axel Plastics, a family-run small business that specializes in chemical manufacturing. Axel Plastics embodies Southwest Connecticut’s entrepreneurial spirit by employing 50 Connecticut residents and providing the market with high-quality products.

Enjoying a facility tour courtesy of the Axel family.

Celebrating in the Community

One of the best parts of my job is joining festivities that uplift different parts of our community. Recently, I commemorated Greek Independence Day in Stamford alongside Archbishop Elpidophoros. With nearly 30,000 Greek-Americans residing in Connecticut, it was an honor to be with so many of my neighbors for this holiday and enjoy traditional performances of Greek song and dance.

Celebrating Greek Independence Day with Archbishop Elpidophoros and other members of Stamford’s Greek-American community.

March is Women’s History Month, and I was excited to celebrate with First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor and Weston Girl Scouts and Daisies! Our future female leaders were eager to learn about government and women’s history in the United States, and I look forward to seeing their names on a ballot one day.

Marking Women’s History Month with First Selectwoman Nestor and Weston Girl Scouts and Daisies.

As always, my office is standing by to help you with federal agencies. Please don’t hesitate to call my Bridgeport office at (203) 333-6600 if there is anything my team can do to assist you and be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get updates from me about how my work in Washington helps you here at home in Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Jim