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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. Here to share an update on the latest news from the week in eastern Connecticut. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Crumbling Foundations: First Home Repaired with New Program Funded by Congress
It was 10 years ago when the crumbling concrete foundations crisis was brought to light. This crisis has been a nightmare for so many homeowners in Connecticut. Over the years, I’ve worked non-stop to find solutions and deliver support for affected communities.
In Manchester on Monday, I joined Rep. John Larson and the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) to mark a new milestone in our efforts – the first home repaired for crumbling foundations using federal Community Project funding that we secured in the 2022 federal budget.
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| Speaking at the site of the repaired home alongside Rep. John Larson, the Capitol Region Council of Governments, the Connecticut Foundations Indemnity Solutions Company, and local officials. |
As a 2022 “Community Project”, I secured $2 million in federal funds for CRCOG to provide direct financial assistance to homeowners to repair damages caused by crumbling foundations that are not covered by the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company Inc. (CFSIC).
This new program, called Gap Foundation Funding, is another tool in the toolkit to deliver support to homeowners. In addition to this first home repair in Manchester, more homeowners have been approved to receive the support in Enfield, Ellington, Coventry, Willington, and Bolton.
Meeting with UConn & the University of Adelaide
Storrs and Adelaide are 10,000 miles apart, but they’re close partners under AUKUS. UConn & the University of Adelaide are collaborating to share UConn’s expertise in undersea vehicle technology with the “AUKUS Scholars” exchange program.
UConn’s National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT) leads cutting-edge research to advance the U.S. Navy’s future submarine fleet. I’ve long supported this research in Congress, and during my recent trip to Adelaide with bipartisan Congressional delegation, I visited the University of Adelaide for an update on the exchange program. Then, this week, I caught up on the program at UConn with President Radenka Marić, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the College of Engineering Pamir Alpay, Professor at the College of Engineering and Director of the NIUVT Richard Christensen, and Director of Government Relations Gail Garber.
Holding a Town Hall in Storrs
Thank you to everyone who joined my town hall at Juniper Hill Village in Storrs on Tuesday. People shared their serious concerns about the Trump Administration’s cuts to Medicaid and housing assistance programs. These are basic programs to meet people’s needs. Cutting them while extending huge tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires is unacceptable. I won’t stop fighting to protect these programs.
A New Mural Celebrates Vernon's History
This week, my hometown of Vernon – the fourth largest town in the Second District – celebrated its history with the unveiling of a dazzling mural depicting some of the iconic scenes of this historic community.
Matt Hickey, the owner of Tri Town Lube & Repairs commissioned this work, which was brilliantly composed and painted by local mural artist Laura Costello. She grew up in Vernon and was joined by her proud parents, friends and local officials. She brilliantly wove together the Henry Park tower, the Keystone tunnel, and farm and factory sites well known to locals. What a stunning contribution to the area by Laura and Matt. Bravo!
Speaking with the Old Saybrook Rotary Club
It was great to join the Old Saybrook Rotary Club on Wednesday. There was a big turnout of rotary members and also members from the nearby VFW post. We discussed veterans issues, the future of the U.S. Department of Education amid President Trump’s plan to eliminate it, job training for the EB shipyard, and the food assistance cuts at USDA. The Rotary Club has a great mix of residents who really care about their community and nation. Thank you to Jan Perruccio, Rotary Club President and former Superintendent of Old Saybrook Public Schools for hosting me.
Thanks 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.
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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