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Dear Friend,
After a busy week in Congress and eastern Connecticut, I’m here with a quick update on federally funded Community Projects in our towns, a visit to eastern Connecticut by the SBA Administrator, and more from the week. Thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Federal Funding On Its Way to Support a Vulnerable Population and Children’s Learning in Windham County
I was recently in Windham County for visits to United Services Inc., a nonprofit serving victims of domestic violence, and the Canterbury Public Library. My office and I worked with both these groups to secure federal Community Project funding to support their work. These resources will allow them to take on projects that would otherwise be outside of their budget, and they were recently signed into law as part of the 2023 budget. Now, we’ll stay in close touch through the disbursement process for them to receive the funds.
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| Last week, Rep. Courtney visited United Services Inc. The nonprofit will use federal Community Project funding to make renovations and increase capacity at one of their domestic violence shelters in Windham County |
United Services’ domestic violence shelters provide a critical service to a vulnerable population in northeastern Connecticut. Tragically, instances of domestic and intimate partner violence have risen in recent years, and resources and capacity at shelters have been stretched thin. Now, using $1 Million in federal Community Project funding that my office worked to secure, United Services will be able to make some important upgrades to one of their shelters, adding beds, expanding private space for occupants, and improving ADA accessibility. These renovations are costly, but thanks to the federal resources, United Services will be able to complete them, and provide an expanded safe place for victims to rebuild their lives. I appreciated the chance to catch up on their planned shelter renovations with President/CEO Diane Manning and her team.
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| Last week, Rep. Courtney visited the Canterbury Public Library which will add a dedicated Children's Learning Center with federal Community Project funding they worked together to secure |
Public libraries are fantastic places for kids to up their reading skills, play, and socialize with other kids. Now, the Town of Canterbury is set to receive $480,000 in Community Project funding to construct a dedicated children’s learning center at the Canterbury Public Library – allowing the library to better accommodate the growing number of young learners and continue to use their existing space for other programs. These are the types of projects that really strengthen our bonds as communities and make good investments in kid’s future. My team and I were proud to work together with Canterbury Public Library and its Director Beth Delaney to secure this Community Project funding in the 2023 budget.
More Federal Funding to Improve Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Lebanon and Disability Services in Hebron
After visiting those two projects, I made two additional stops last week to catch up on Community Projects in Lebanon and Hebron with the Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SCADD) and Easterseals Oak Hill.
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| Last week, Rep. Courtney visited the Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence's (SCADD) treatment facility in Lebanon. With federal Community Project funding they secured together in the 2023 budget, SCADD will make building renovations and service improvements at the facility. |
Securing federal resources to help eastern Connecticut fight back against the addiction crisis has long been one of my office’s top priorities. SCADD’s work at their residential treatment facility in Lebanon is an important part of that effort. They provide men with substance use disorder a space to reset their lives, and currently, the five building, 110 bed facility is nearing full capacity—an example of the scale of this crisis and the dire need for these services. SCADD is now set to receive $915,000 in federal Community Project Funding to make repairs and upgrades to the facility, including improved food services, replacing outdated phone systems, and necessary roof and sewer repairs. Big thanks to CEO Stacey Lawton and CFO Alan Aleia for updating me on the project. SCADD has been operating this facility for over four decades, serving thousands of men in eastern Connecticut. I look forward to Community Project funding help keep their work going. Read more about my visit here in the Chronicle and watch a story here from Channel 8.
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| Last week, Rep. Courtney visited Easterseals Oak Hill at their Hemlocks Center facilities in Hebron. With federal Community Project funding they secured together in the 2023 budget, the nonprofit will expand services for children and adults with disabilities |
For individuals with disabilities, it’s important that they have access to local services that meet their unique needs. At their Hemlocks Center facilities in Hebron, Easterseals of Oak Hill, an affiliate of a nationwide nonprofit network, provides children and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities with a range of services – including skill development, personal care, and boosting self-confidence. Easterseals Oak Hill will now use $1.8 Million in 2023 Community Project Funding that my office worked to secure to take on renovations and additions to their Hemlocks Center facility, expanding and improving those services. Thanks to Easterseals Oak Hill President and CEO Barry Simon and the entire staff at the Hemlocks Center facility to giving me an update on their need to make upgrades!
SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman Visits Eastern Connecticut to Discuss SBA Programs with Tribal Leaders, Manufacturers, & more
Eastern Connecticut has a thriving small business community. From shops, to entertainment, to manufacturers, and more, small businesses make huge contributions to our local economies and are anchors in our communities. On Monday, I joined Small Businesses Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Guzman at Foxwoods in Ledyard – her second visit to eastern Connecticut in the role. We started the day with a good session with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) and Council Chair Rodney Butler. The MPTN is deeply involved in our state’s economy and culture, and we discussed the tribe’s future orientated initiatives to diversify their business and deepen that involvement – and how SBA programs to help make those initiatives a success.
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| Following the session with MPTN leaders, Rep. Courtney and Administrator Guzman lead a roundtable discussion on how SBA programs can help eastern Connecticut small businesses seize growing work opportunities |
Later, we got together with lots of local manufacturers and other stakeholders for a roundtable on SBA programs – how they can be used to fuel growth, help overcome challenges, and also be improved to meet needs. From shipbuilding to clean energy production, and more, there are tons of opportunities on the horizon for eastern Connecticut, and one of our most pressing issues is increasing capacity. In the 2023 budget, we saw huge investments in to strengthen our submarine industrial base and workforce. After the roundtable at Foxwoods, Administrator Guzman and I visited Electric Boat to discuss the important roll local manufacturers play in their shipbuilding efforts. Make no mistake, the uptick in shipbuilding will bring opportunities throughout our economy to benefit our small businesses. Federal SBA programs can help them seize them!
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| As eastern Connecticut’s manufacturing sector continues to grow, Courtney and SBA Administrator Guzman visited EB to meet with President Kevin Graney (right) and others to discuss more opportunities for growth on the horizon |
Thanks to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation for hosting Administrator Guzman, CT SBA District Director, Catherine Marx, and I for the productive discussion with stakeholders. Learn more about SBA assistance programs at here and read more about Administrator Guzman’s visit here in the Day.
Plainfield Continues to Put American Rescue Plan Funds to Use
The American Rescue Plan was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in 2021. Almost two years later, it continues to help Connecticut towns bounce back from the pandemic. This week, Plainfield announced it would use federal ARP funds to launch a new grant program for nonprofits and small businesses still recovering from losses they incurred during the worst times of the pandemic. It’s great to see our towns continue to put these resources to use, helping their economies grow. Read more here in the Norwich Bulletin.
Hosting ABC Australia in Southeastern Connecticut to Talk All Things AUKUS, Submarines, and Manufacturing
Eastern Connecticut shipbuilders and suppliers know submarine construction better than anyone in the world. To make the trilateral AUKUS agreement a success, our Australian allies will need to size-up their shipbuilding capabilities. While deliberations continue about charting a path forward for AUKUS, nothing is for certain, but this could potentially mean new exciting opportunities for our local businesses. I brought ABC Australia to Groton and Bozrah for a glimpse into eastern Connecticut’s work to support our Navy. Watch their piece below.
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| Click here to watch Rep. Courtney's interview on AUKUS and southeastern Connecticut shipbuilding with ABC Australia |
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 (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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