Griswold to get $8 million for water and sewer project - here's what that means for the town

Matt Grahn, Norwich Bulletin
·3 min read

Connecticut’s Community Investment Fund 2030 has been crucial for funding redevelopment efforts in Norwich and Preston. Now, in its third round, more communities in eastern Connecticut are seeing its impact.

The largest of these projects in eastern Connecticut is $8.707 million expected to go to Griswold to fund a municipal water infrastructure project to extend water and sewer access to 325 acres of commercial land, according to a press release from state Sen. Heather Somers’ Office.

With $175 million awardable per year for five years, split between 10 rounds, Community Investment Fund 2030 offers 55 eligible municipalities across the state funding  for projects ranging from infrastructure to economic development and community needs, The Bulletin reported in March.

While the Community Investment Fund projects still have to be bonded, this approval from the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board is a good sign, Somers said.

Some of the land along Rt. 164 in Griswold that will be utilized in the Heritage River Village development. Before that, it will need water and sewer access. The $8 million in state funds will help expand Griswold's water and sewer infrastructure down Rt. 164 to just before the golf course.
Some of the land along Rt. 164 in Griswold that will be utilized in the Heritage River Village development. Before that, it will need water and sewer access. The $8 million in state funds will help expand Griswold's water and sewer infrastructure down Rt. 164 to just before the golf course.

Infrastructure needed for development to proceed

Developers are interested in the land around Preston Road on Route 164, but the infrastructure development is needed before moving ahead, Somers said.

“This is a game-changer for Griswold for economic opportunities,” she said.

Once the infrastructure project is completed, developers will be in a better position to access funding for the Heritage River Village, which will provide workforce housing, elder housing, and space for community amenities, including a YMCA, Griswold First Selectman Dana Bennett said.

There will be 216 units of workforce housing, and 210 units of age restricted housing, according to Somers’ Office.

On the workforce side, continued projects for Electric Boat is incentivizing the company to hire thousands of people each year to meet demand, along with others brought to work at supplier companies. Those workers will look to nearby communities, like Griswold, for a home, Bennett said.

Griswold’s advantage is that its equidistant between EB’s Groton and Quonset Point, RI facilities, Bennett said.

As for age-restricted housing, the town’s population is aging, and many want to be able to downsize and stay in town, Bennett said.

“These will be one-level apartments, so they can adapt as they age,” she said.

Projects are 20 years in the making

The seeds of the water and sewer infrastructure started 20 years ago with the vacant land on Route 164 being rezoned for commercial use. The town’s Department of Public Works had also redesigned its wastewater plant to accommodate this, but the plans have been lingering. There was a 2019 referendum which bonded $6.07 million for the project. However, the project took a back seat to the Griswold Senior Community Wellness Center, which officially opened in December. Costs had gone up in that time, more funding was needed, Bennett said.

“It got pushed to the wayside, but now, we’re in the process,” she said.

As it stands, the public water in Griswold extends to Oak Tree Village , nestled between I-395 and the school complex. The water and sewer lines would have to cross the bridge over the highway, and extend it almost to River Ridge Golf Course, Bennett said.

When does the work start?

Groundbreaking on the infrastructure project is expected in the spring, and the construction portion of the project will take 18 months. Supply chain issues may still affect the project, including with acquiring the right kinds of generators, Bennett said.

Work on the housing units is expected to start in late 2024 or early 2025. The units will need their own attachments for sewer and water, parking lots, and other “horizontal building,” before the houses themselves are built, Bennett said.

As there will be a total of 10 rounds of Community Investment Fund 2030 funding, both Somers and Bennett encourage other communities to take advantage of this opportunity.

Other projects approved in round three of Community Investment Fund 2030 in eastern Connecticut include $1.117 million to New London for the Lynn Allen Park, $581,000 to Scotland for town hall renovations, $250,000 to Voluntown for a Community Water Systems Study, and $250,000 to Windham for the Mill #4 Planning Grant, according to the Community investment Fund 2030 Board minutes.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Griswold to get $8 million Community Investment Fund grant