Governor Ned Lamont today chaired a State Bond Commission meeting, approving a series of strategic investments aimed at strengthening Connecticut communities, modernizing government services, and expanding opportunities across various sectors. These allocations target early childhood education, housing, technology, public safety, and infrastructure.
The commission approved $16.5 million for capital improvements at childcare facilities and supported the Office of Early Childhood's new One Entry Portal to streamline child care searches and applications for families. Additionally, the new MyCHESLA Grad Loan was approved, offering a Connecticut-based financing option with lower fixed interest rates (5.50% to 7.99%) to approximately 1,200 graduate students, replacing the federal Grad PLUS loan program.
Nearly $60 million was allocated for modernizing state government IT infrastructure, including developing a digital wallet for secure mobile IDs by summer's end and expanding compatibility with commercial digital wallets by August 2027. This funding also covers the replacement of the Department of Social Services' Child Support Enforcement System, operational since 1987.
Public safety received a boost with $5 million for nonprofit security grants and $6 million for wrong-way driver detection and prevention technology, which has already alerted 900 drivers since 2023. Environmental protection efforts include $5 million for farmland preservation and $15 million for recreational trails statewide, potentially leveraging nearly $30 million with matching funds.
Housing opportunities are expanding with $10 million for the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority to develop over 150 new units near transit and in downtowns. An additional $10 million was approved for the Time to Own program, assisting first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance. Governor Lamont said, "These actions will strengthen our communities, support families and businesses, and help make Connecticut more affordable and competitive."