First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart have announced that the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has selected the Town of Fairfield as the recipient of a $200,000 planning grant for development in the Commerce Drive/Fairfield Metro Center area.
The grant was awarded through OPM’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) program which provides grants to municipalities for the development of residential and commercial centers within walking distance of public transportation facilities.
The Town of Fairfield, with support from Fairfield State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, had submitted requests for funding for this project to the CT Department of Economic Development and OPM several years in a row.
First Selectman Tetreau stated, “This funding will help us create a vision for development in the Fairfield Metro Center area and continue our work with area businesses and other community leaders. Since its opening, Fairfield has made steady progress in capitalizing on the Center’s potential as an engine for economic growth.” He continued, “Young people and businesses place a high value on walkable, transit-oriented communities, and we need to be meeting that demand. I’d like to thank State Representative McCarthy Vahey for her continued support and advocacy for this project and Fairfield’s long-term economic health.”
Fairfield previously received $750,000 through the TOD program in September of 2016 for the replacement of 3,000 feet of sewer lines to support development in the vicinity of the Metro Center.
Community and Economic Development Director Barnhart said, “We are grateful for the State’s funding support that will allow us to move forward with plans to attract new investment to the area in and around the Fairfield Metro Center Station.”
The photo shows Community and Economic Development Director Barnhart and First Selectman Tetreau.