Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced Monday that the state and city are partnering on a project to make major modernization upgrades to the interior of New Haven Union Station, complementing ongoing exterior work.
The upgrades will also enable additional vendor and business space to open in the transportation hub, creating more opportunities for retail and restaurant space.
"New Haven Union Station is an important link in Connecticut's transportation network, and we are focused on making it a world-class transit facility," Lamont said.
The exterior repairs currently underway at the station and parking garage total $9.1 million, while interior improvements are anticipated to cost $15.7 million. The projects are being fully funded by the state. Exterior and phase I interior work are expected to be completed by the end of 2027, phase II interior work in the second half of 2028, and parking garage repairs in 2029.
On Wednesday, Lamont held a news conference at The Hartford Film Company in Hartford to announce a new state tax credit to help small businesses offer health insurance to their employees. Eligible businesses, including those with 50 or fewer employees, can receive a tax credit of up to $1,000 per employee per year when they offer an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement through Access Health CT using the BusinessPlus platform. The credit is available for the first two consecutive years an employer offers an ICHRA.
"Through this tax credit, we can encourage more small businesses to offer health coverage to their employees, keeping more people in Connecticut insured while also offsetting their premiums," Lamont said.
On Friday morning, Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz visited Anna Reynolds Elementary School in Newington to help distribute breakfasts as part of Connecticut's new K-12 school breakfast program. The program provides every school district with funding to offer all public school students breakfast at the start of every school day at no cost. It launched this school year and was created by the state budget Lamont signed into law. All K-12 public school students are eligible, with no application required.
On Thursday, Lamont visited Ädelbrook Academy in Manchester to announce a $1.5 million state grant to support construction of a new wing to increase classroom space and double its capacity to serve students. The academy serves youths and young adults with autism spectrum disorders and developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Also Wednesday, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced completion of additional parking in an overflow lot at the Niantic River State Boat Launch in Waterford, located on 0.89 acres at 371 and 365 Mago Point Way.
The Connecticut Insurance Department launched the Be Weather Ready: Preparedness and Resiliency Center, an online resource to help residents prepare for severe weather and understand their insurance coverage.
"We created this center to give Connecticut residents practical, easy-to-use information and tools to help them understand those risks, protect their property and feel more prepared when severe weather strikes," Insurance Commissioner Josh Hershman said.