Juan R. Candelaria

• Investments in Downtown New Haven
• Texting Scam Alert
• Your Guide to Peak Fall Foliage

Governor Ned Lamont announced a $50.5 million investment in downtown New Haven to accelerate growth in the life sciences and quantum technologies sectors. Funded by the new Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program, the initiative supports infrastructure, research, and business development in the city’s innovation district.

Key components include:

• New Haven Innovation Center: Create a 4,500 square foot ‘early start’ activation space within 101 College Street ($1,300,000).
• QuantumCT: Provide critical financial support to this nonprofit that is the statewide coordinating body for quantum computing infrastructure and testbed deployment, convening industry, academia, and startups ($10,000,000).
• Public Infrastructure: Financing pedestrian-first streetscapes, stormwater management and climate-resilient mobility infrastructure necessary to support Parcel B development, which will be created following the removal of the Route 34 expressway located east of 101 College Street ($17,500,000).
• Development Fund Gap Financing: Facilitate the development of Parcel B (200,000+ sq ft), owned by the City of New Haven and 265 South Orange Street, the Square 10 (former Coliseum) site (277,000 + sq ft planned life sciences building) ($14,500,000).
• Arch Street Bridge and Church Street Promenade: Create a multi-modal pedestrian corridor connecting Union Station to Downtown and the Hill neighborhoods, with a signature pedestrian arc bridge and linear park and a pedestrian/bike promenade ($4,200,000).
• BioCT: Activate the cluster with programming led by BioCT to bring together civic, academic, and business partners within the heart of the district and from across the state ($3,000,000).

A coalition including Yale, UConn, QuantumCT, BioCT, and local developers are backing the project. It complements ongoing state investments in housing, transportation, and community development. Yale and UConn will lead in research, entrepreneurship, and workforce development to turn innovation into scalable businesses and jobs.

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is alerting everyone of a new scam where criminals impersonate the DRS with fraudulent text messages. They claim that you are owed a tax refund and must provide banking and other information to receive the money.

The DRS will NEVER send taxpayers a text message or seek to obtain information from taxpayers via text. If you have information on a tax-related scam, contact DRS by completing a referral form on the agency’s website.

Taxpayers with questions are encouraged to reach out to DRS at 860-297-5962, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. or by email at DRS@ct.gov.

Now that fall has arrived, Connecticut is about to glow with autumn color! Here’s what to expect and how to make the most of it:

• Litchfield Hills / Northwest CT: tends to peak earlier, so early October is ideal there
• Hartford & Central CT: mid‑October is often prime
• Connecticut River Valley: the color can linger a bit, making it great in mid‑to‑late October
• Coastal & Shoreline areas: later in October, sometimes up until Halloween

Click here for the full CT Fall Foliage Report so you know peak viewing times in each area of the state.

The CT Tourism Office has some great ideas on how to enjoy the season, click here for CT's Fall Foliage Road Trip Guide and links to hiking trails and click here for seven different CT Fall Foliage Drive Loops around the state and the peak times to take them.

Don’t miss your chance to soak in the season’s beauty!