2 Middletown Organizations Receive State Grants

Two Middletown organizations are among the more than 40 farms, agricultural non-profits and municipalities that will receive state funding as part of an ongoing effort to expand Connecticut’s growing agricultural economy, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky announced Thursday.

“Our diverse and vibrant agriculture sector is an important economic driver for our state with enormous potential for future job creation and economic growth,” Malloy said. “These grants are a clear sign that we can both preserve our agricultural heritage and help it expand and create jobs.”

The $880,327 in funding was made through the Agriculture Department’s Farm Transition Grant and Farm Viability Grant programs, designed to increase farm production, promote Connecticut Grown products and create jobs. The funding – which requires a match from the grantee - will leverage nearly $2.4 million in investments.  

“Connecticut’s agriculture economy is making many significant advances in the right direction, and these grants will help keep that momentum going,” Reviczky said. “These are important investments that will benefit both producers and consumers.” 

Agricultural Viability Grants are made available through Public Act 05-228, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing and Historic Preservation. The legislation protects and preserves Connecticut by providing funding for municipal open-space grants, farm viability and preservation, historic preservation and new and existing affordable housing programs, along with new infrastructure to support and promote agriculture in the state.

Receiving Farm Transition Grants (agricultural producers and cooperatives):

Marine Bait Wholesale, Middletown - Construction of aquaculture production system for the raising of wild eels for sale. Total project budget: $111,186; Grant: $49,999.    

Receiving Farm Viability Grants (municipalities and agricultural non-profit organizations):

North End Action Team, Middletown – Farmers’ market promotions. Total project budget: $3,000; Grant: $1,500.

State Rep. Matthew Lesser (D- Middletown) applauded the announcement about the grants that will help support small businesses in Middletown's North End.

“This is great news for the North End,” Lesser said in a statement. “Continuing to support NEAT and the North End Farmer's Market is great for quality of life, but even more importantly by helping Marine Bait Wholesale expand, we're helping create jobs. I thank Governor Malloy and Commissioner Reviczky for their leadership and support.”

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis and a match must be supplied by the applicant. The Department of Agriculture’s share of the budget is capped at $49,999 in matching funds. Grantees have up to one year to complete their project, according to the terms of their contract.

Funding is not limited to producers.  Non-profit organizations and municipalities also are eligible, and may use the grants for town or regional planning purposes provided that agricultural components are involved.  The Department of Agriculture plans to open up the grant-application period again in November.

For more information on these grants, please visit the Department’s website at www.ct.gov/doag/. Click on: “Programs and Services” and then: “Agriculture Viability Grants.”

*Editor's note: this story was updated at 9:23 a.m., March 21 to include comments from state Rep. Matthew Lesser.