are applauding the state's recent decision to award the town a $500,000 grant for brownfield remediation at the former U.S. Baird site, which is slated to be .
State Rep. Terry Backer (D-121): "I'm grateful to Governor Malloy for approving this $500,000 grant in my district. Reusing an industrial site for an industrial/commercial purpose while generating jobs and bolstering our tax base is a success on all fronts."
State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R-21): "It is clear that this investment will both clean up our community and create local jobs."
State Rep. Laura Hoydick (R-120): "These grant funds are a natural next step following the bipartisan jobs bill last fall that is aimed at helping return businesses and jobs to this state and to Stratford specifically."
State Rep. Larry Miller (R-122): "The legislature should always be looking for ways to promote jobs in Connecticut. This Brownfield program is a doing just that for Stratford."
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The $500,000 grant, which still needs to be approved by the state bond commission, would provide funds for a hazardous building materials report, as well as remediation and abatement to the site. The total cost of those items is $574,000.
Two Roads Brewing Company announced in December 2011 its plans to purchase and revitalize the former manufacturing building at 1700 Stratford Ave. At that time, the company said it had raised $18 million for the project and hoped to open in September 2012.
"This particular building is perfectly suited for a brewery because it is so solidly built, it has a high-bay center that can accommodate tall fermenting tanks, and it has ample room for us to grow into," Two Roads co-founder Brad Hittle said.
Hittle said the brewery will be a "state-of-the-art" facility with a Rolec 100 barrel brew house; high-speed bottling, canning and kegging equipment; an expansive tasting room that overlooks the brew house; and space for outdoor events.
It's expected that the brewery will create 15 new jobs within a year and 70 jobs overall.
"There is a renewed commitment for brownfield redevelopment in Connecticut, and DECD is leading the way," said Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, which awarded the grant to the town of Stratford.
"In the last six months alone, we've gotten more than $33 million in brownfield funding out the door to our cities and towns and other parties that are helping to capitalize on the economic potential of these sites," Smith added. "Cleaning up these sites so they are ready for redevelopment is vital to our efforts to spur economic activity and make our communities more vibrant and accessible."
Editor's note: All quotes were taken from prepared statements.
