Geoff Luxenberg

Great news! This week, Governor Lamont and the Department of Education awarded $5.3 million in state funding through the After-School Grant Program to support programs across the state, including the Manchester Early Learning Center (MELC).

With municipal elections coming up on Tuesday, November 4th, the deadline to register to vote is this Friday, October 17th, and early voting will begin next week on Monday, October 20th.

Congratulations to Manchester for being named one of Sustainable CT's Climate Leaders of 2025 and for receiving Gold-level certification for the town's actions towards climate justice!

Last week, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) Board voted to recommend allocating $1 million in state funding to the Ädelbrook Educational Program. Ädelbrook is a private special education program serving students with autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, and learning disabilities. This investment would be used to help Ädelbrook expand the capacity of its Manchester Academy.

I am excited to share that during the 2025 Legislative session, I secured a $6.8 million funding increase for Manchester in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the state's biennial budget. Manchester will receive a total of $64,878,064 in FY26 and a total of $65,061,975 in FY27.

With fall comes cooler weather, changing leaves, and a number of new laws hitting the books. Several measures passed during the 2025 legislative session will take effect on Wednesday, October 1. Below is a brief overview of some of these important changes!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a free tax preparation program for individuals and families earning up to $69,000 annually. Volunteers helped provide more than $28 million in refunds and credits last year.

Join United Way this tax season as a VITA Volunteer and help families in the area with their tax credits and returns. Recruitment for volunteers is happening now through January 2026. Various training programs and certification for volunteers will take place between November 2025 and January 2026. No prior experience is needed to volunteer. 

For a decade, the Manchester CT Jazz Festival has been a cornerstone of our community, uniting music lovers, supporting local charities, and showcasing world-class talent in the heart of Manchester.
As preparation for the 10th Annual Manchester CT Jazz Festival is underway, the Jazz Festival Team invites you to join as a vital partner in this vibrant celebration of music and community spirit. Your support and donations will ensure this milestone event continues to inspire, uplift, and make a meaningful impact in the Greater Manchester area.