(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced the last round of Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) awards today.  Towns across the state were awarded funds to make infrastructure upgrades, strengthen business corridors and local economies, and improve public spaces.  The State Bond Commission allocated $20 million for 2012 STEAP grants in September 2011.
 
“Over the past several weeks I’ve enjoyed visiting the small towns across Connecticut that make our state a great place to live,” said Governor Malloy. “Local leaders have done a tremendous job advocating for their communities and ensuring that these important projects are getting the attention and support they need—and state government has stepped up as a partner in the effort to improve the quality of life for residents. These projects are part of reinventing Connecticut and making us a stronger, highly competitive, and more vibrant state.”

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Bethel was awarded $500,000 to reconstruct and repave major roads impacted by the Stony Hill sewer extension. This award goes toward a larger project that will cost an estimated $1.48 million to complete.
 
“I am pleased Bethel has received this state grant approval for $500,000 for the Stony Hill Road resurfacing project. I have worked with town officials for several months to get state assistance for the project. The town put in sewer lines to benefit some property owners and a road resurfacing is needed to complete the project. This grant benefits all the residents who travel this road in Bethel," said State Representative David Scribner (R-107, Brookfield and Bethel).

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Ridgefield received two awards.  The first is a $75,000 grant to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Danbury Road and Route 7. This intersection controls traffic for a 322 unit complex including a nursing home, assisted living facility and an age-restricted condo development. The nursing home and assisted living facility average 400 ambulance calls a year and the intersection has become difficult to navigate since the road was widened to 4 lanes.
 
The second award, $200,000, will improve safety and traffic flow through the Ridgefield Center Business District. The project calls for reconstructing the 233-space municipal parking lot between Bailey Avenue and Prospect Street. The lot serves 112 businesses and the Ridgefield Town Hall and will be upgraded, landscaped, and lit.
 
"As a ranking member of the state's transportation committee I know all too well the financial challenges communities have with maintaining safe roads and workable transportation systems.  The STEAP award being provided to Ridgefield will help make the business district more accessible to residents and safer for pedestrians.  There is also a great need for a traffic light at the heavily travelled intersection of Danbury Road and Rte 7.  I am pleased to see that this initiative will be completed with the state's support.  The commuting public deserves safe and reliable transportation systems and these awards will help smaller communities in a substantial way," said Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton).