Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the town of Monroe will receive a $400,000 state grant for improvements to the town center.

The funds are being awarded through the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). STEAP provides financial assistance for projects that encourage economic development and preserve the character of the state’s less-populated towns.

Monroe will use the grant for installing new traffic lights, realigning roads and other initiatives to upgrade the historic Center Block Area. The $1.7 million project has also received $1.2 million in federal High Priority Project funding.

“Monroe is really bringing new energy to its town center,” Governor Rell said. “This project will include new pedestrian crosswalks, new benches and lighting, landscaping and new sidewalks around the Town Green – all of which will encourage more people to make the town center a true community focal point. Projects like this strike the right balance between economic development and holding on to the graceful nature of our state’s small towns.”

The Governor thanked the Monroe delegation for their support of the funding.

“Monroe has changed over time but it has never lost sight of the things that make us love it,” said state Representative DebraLee Hovey (R-112). “While I very much want to see the town of Monroe prosper and grow, I don’t want the essential character to change. This project will help us improve the local economy and attract more people to area businesses without sacrificing our community identity.”

State Senator Dan Debicella (R-21) added: “Connecticut is making wise choices in the way it manages growth and job creation. Programs like STEAP prove there is a way to encourage economic development while preserving open space, farmland and the quality of life that brought people here in the first place.”

“We know it is the small and medium-sized businesses that are driving the Connecticut economy,” said state Senator Robert D. Russo (R-22). “That is where so much of the job creation is coming from. The more we can do to help these kinds of businesses – and the communities that support them – the better.”

More than $19.7 million in STEAP funds for 72 towns were proposed for approval on the Bond Commission agenda Friday. The funds will enable 83 projects across the state to move forward.

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