Millions for Commercial Kitchen & New Affordable Housing Project
June 7, 2024
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A community kitchen in Windham is getting a major boost after receiving nearly $3 million in state funds. I'll break down how the money will improve the facility, provide more training, and feed those who need the most help.
We are proud to announce that new affordable housing units just opened in the 49th district! Please keep reading to learn more about the project and how many units are located downtown.
My friend, State Senator Mae Flexer, joined my local radio show to highlight legislation we have passed to improve our communities. Keep scrolling to get a breakdown of our work ranging from early voting to debt-free community college.
Here are the sections in today's email:
Let's Talk About It: Senator Mae Flexer
Millions in Funding for CLiCK
New Affordable Housing Project Opens
State Funding for Recreational Trails
Let's Talk About It: Senator Mae Flexer
State Senator Mae Flexer joined my co-host Dennis O’Brien and I on “Let’s Talk About It” to discuss the vital work we have collaborated on to address the needs of Windham, Eastern Connecticut, and the state as a whole. Sen. Flexer broke down the benefits of early voting, debt free community college, and electing more women to public office.
Senator Flexer is passionate about early voting and the no excuse absentee ballot referendum. As co-chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, she had a big hand in crafting and passing that legislation. Connecticut implemented early voting this year, and voters took part in March for the presidential primary. We will do it again in the August primaries and the November general election. No-excuse absentee voting will go to a public referendum on the 2024 general election ballot. If it passes, registered voters will get to vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to appear at their polling station on the day of an election, primary, or referendum.
We also talked about the wonderful legislation we passed creating a debt free community college program in Connecticut. Senator Flexer earned an Associate's degree from Quinebaug Valley Community College and understands the value of getting two years of higher education under your belt without accumulating debt. While this is a great program, she believes we need to do more making higher education more affordable.
We also learned more about Sen. Flexer’s role as Connecticut’s Executive Director of Emerge America. This organization recruits, trains, and mentors Democratic women to run for office at every level. She has served at the director for seven years and helped 117 women graduate. One of the notable alums is Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas. More than a dozen other graduates currently serve in the state legislature.
Sen. Flexer also talked about the challenges of childcare in Eastern Connecticut, improvements to the TANF program in our state, and much more. Click on the video below to listen to the entire show.
Sen. Mae Flexer highlights some of the legislation we worked on in tandem.
Millions in Funding for CLiCK
The State Bond Commission approved nearly $2.8 million for the Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen (CLiCK) in Windham. The money will go toward renovating the kitchen, creating a processing and cold storage facility, adding a second-floor mezzanine space for offices, and building out a community training space.
CLiCK's shared-use commercial kitchens provide locally based, healthy, and sustainable food in Windham and beyond. The organization creates opportunities for farmers and culinary entrepreneurs, including those with low incomes, to incubate food-based businesses while improving the health and vitality of our local community by teaching gardening, culinary arts, nutrition, and other food-related classes, all informed by a social justice perspective.
I would like to thank Governor Lamont, the Bonding Committee, and Sen. Mae Flexer for their tireless work to bring these valuable funds to Windham.
New Affordable Housing Project Opens
Top housing officials joined us in Windham to unveil the newest affordable housing project in the state. We cut the ribbon at Murray on Main, which consists of 16 units of affordable housing in the Murray Building at 699 Main Street in downtown Willimantic. The housing project will help to continue the revitalization of Main Street and the Willimantic community.
We have a critical shortage of affordable places to live all over Connecticut. This new housing project will make a difference by reducing poverty, improving individual economic stability, and bringing more vitality to downtown Willimantic.
Thank you to the Chrysalis Center, the Housing Development Corporation, and the Northeastern CT Community Development Corporation for working together to make Murray on Main a reality!
Commissioner of Housing Seila Mosquera-Bruno
Chief Executive Officer of the CT Housing Finance Authority Nandini Natarajan
State Funding for Recreational Trails
Windham will receive $155,000 in state grants to support the growth of the Windham Air Line Trail and Willimantic River Blueway. The town will use the money for planning, construction, and amenities.
