July 2026

The Resilience Roundup highlights announcements and events along with links to the previous month's state, regional, and national resilience news. 

Learn more about CIRCA at circa.uconn.edu

and the Resilient Connecticut Project at resilientconnecticut.uconn.edu

Resilient Connecticut Expands to the

Northeast and Northwest Corners

CIRCA is expanding the Resilient Connecticut program to support communities in Connecticut's Northeast and Northwest corners. In the Northeast, CIRCA has begun working with municipalities on a regional vulnerability assessment to identify areas most at risk from flooding and extreme heat. CIRCA is also providing technical assistance to the region's Council of Governments as it updates its Hazard Mitigation Plan, helping integrate climate resilience into regional planning efforts. Work with communities in the Northwest corner will begin this fall. For more information on the Resilient Connecticut Program, click here. 

Announcements

Governor Lamont Announces Commissioner Katie Dykes Leaving the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Names Emma Cimino as Acting Commissioner

Governor Ned Lamont announced that DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes will leave state service in July 2026 after nearly 14 years serving Connecticut, including more than seven years leading the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. During her tenure, Dykes played a key role in advancing clean energy initiatives, addressing environmental challenges, modernizing regulations, and investing in Connecticut's parks and natural resources. Upon her departure, DEEP Deputy Commissioner Emma Cimino will serve as acting commissioner, ensuring continuity in the agency's work to protect public health and the environment. 

DEEP Announces Over $5 million in Climate Resilience Fund Grants to Protect Communities From Extreme Weather

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the recipients of the second round of grants from the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF), the agency’s “one-stop shop” for resilience funding. Through this round, DEEP is awarding $5.1 million to14 municipalities, regional entities and non-profits to support projects that will proactively protect homes, businesses, and critical community lifelines from worsening floods, extreme heat and wind, and other natural hazards.

North Hartford Partnership Names Consultant Team to Lead Three-City Climate and Community Resilience Hubs Initiative

The North Hartford Partnership/Swift Factory (NHP) announced a major step forward in the Climate and Community Resilience Hubs of Connecticut initiative, a collaborative effort to establish resilience hubs in the most climate-vulnerable neighborhoods of Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. Following a competitive search, the Partnership and its collaborating organizations have selected Leading Culture Solutions and Unity Climate Solutions to lead the initiative’s 14-month feasibility study and master planning phase. 

Grants

Capitol Region Council of Governments' Brownfields Program

Application Deadline: Rolling until funds are fully obligated

CRCOG is still accepting applications for available funding to support eligible brownfield cleanup activities. Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CRCOG’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program will competitively review subgrant applications from CRCOG Member Municipalities and loan applications from other eligible applicants across Connecticut.

EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Funding 

Application Deadline: Rolling

The EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program offers low‑cost federal credit assistance for large‑scale water infrastructure projects. The program supports drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, water recycling, and other projects that strengthen public health and environmental protection. The EPA has announced $7 billion in new funding, including $6.5 billion through WIFIA and $550 million through the State WIFIA (SWIFIA) Program for state infrastructure financing authorities. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public utilities, state infrastructure financing authorities, private entities, and public‑private partnerships undertaking qualifying water infrastructure projects.

FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application Deadline: Rolling

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has nearly $1.5 billion available to support economic recovery activities in areas that received major disaster declarations due to hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in 2023 and 2024. 

Urban Act Grant Program

Application Deadline: Rolling

Connecticut municipalities designated as economically distressed, public investment communities, or urban centers are eligible to apply for the Urban Act Grant Program. The program supports community conservation and development efforts and aims to enhance the quality of life for urban residents. A wide range of projects may be funded, including economic and community development, transportation, housing, recreation, solid waste disposal, public safety, and social‑services‑related initiatives.

USDA: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants

 in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

Application Deadline: Rolling

This program supports rural communities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that need help preparing for or recovering from an emergency that threatens safe, reliable drinking water. Eligible areas are rural towns with populations of 10,000 or less, tribal lands in rural areas, or colonias with household incomes below the state’s non-metro median. Funding may be used for waterline repairs, new wells, treatment plants, or other improvements to restore or secure water supplies. Applications are accepted year-round through your local USDA Rural Development office or online.

FEMA BRIC Grant

Deadline: July 23, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET

As of March 25, 2026, the combined FY24–FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been released and is now available on Grants.gov. This NOFO provides $1,000,000,000 in funding for States, Territories, and Tribes, with $757 million available nationwide through a competitive grant program that includes a $20 million cap on the federal share. Applicants are encouraged to review their Hazard Mitigation Plans to identify eligible mitigation actions and ready-to-go projects.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program

Deadline: August 6, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to state, territory and local governments and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program

Deadline: August 3

Healthy urban forests are essential to Connecticut’s communities. They improve air and water quality, reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and provide economic, recreational, and public health benefits. However, many urban forests are facing significant stress from invasive pests and diseases, including beech leaf disease, spongy moth, and emerald ash borer. This can result in declining, hazardous, or dead trees that create safety risks and pose barriers to replanting. With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, CT DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program is offering funding to help municipalities restore their urban and community forests.

Greyfield Revitalization Program Planning

and Assessment Opportunity

Deadline: August 5

The Office of Community Development (OCD) within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announces the availability of funding through the Greyfield Revitalization Program – Planning and Assessment Grant and invites eligible applicants to apply. Established under C.G.S. Secs. 32‑9y and 32‑9z, the Greyfield Revitalization Program supports the repurposing of “greyfields,” defined as underutilized or obsolete commercial, retail, office, or knowledge‑work spaces (including workforce training hubs and educational institutions) that present challenges to economic development, land use, and community revitalization. This funding opportunity is limited to Planning and Assessment activities.

Resilient Forestry Practices Grant Program Now Open

Deadline: August 31

With support from the Inflation Reduction Act, CT DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program has $1 million available to help rural communities in Connecticut implement resilient forestry practices. Because these practices must be grounded in appropriate forest planning, a forest management or stewardship plan prepared by a Connecticut‑certified forester is required for funding. Applicants who do not currently have a forest management plan, or whose existing plan does not include eligible resilient forestry practices, may still apply by working with a CT DEEP Service Forester to develop a Practice Plan prior to submitting their application.

South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG)

CT Green Bank Workshop - Resiliency

July 15, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

SCRCOG is partnering with Connecticut Green Bank to offer a series of workshops on identifying ways to access green solutions, use less energy, and be more resilient. The Green Bank offers financing options for areas of environmental infrastructure related to climate adaptation and resiliency. Join this workshop to learn more about these programs. Please note: this topic could be subject to change.

Connecticut Land Conservation Council:

Diversifying Land Trust Revenue

July 22, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Shrinking federal funding and rising competition for grants are forcing land trusts to rethink how they fund their work, and many are turning to entrepreneurial strategies to stay resilient. In this session, Ole Amundsen explores real-world examples of land trusts of different capacities and their successful generation of new revenue streams while strengthening community connections. Join the webinar on July 22 at noon to gain practical ideas. Board members are encouraged to attend the training as broadening the financial support for the organization is a key responsibility. Participants attending this session are invited to attend a follow-up session on Wednesday Sept 30th at noon to collectively brainstorm on new revenue strategies, consider what changes are needed to bring in this new revenue and how to reflect these goals in their strategic plan.

Climate Resiliency Plan (CRP) Community Outreach

with the City of Bridgeport

Members of the Fairfield University Center for Social Impact Team will be participating in a variety of community events throughout Bridgeport this summer supporting the City's Climate Resiliency Plan by engaging residents, listening to community perspectives, sharing information about the planning process, and helping ensure that community voices are reflected in future resilience and sustainability efforts. These events provide valuable opportunities to connect with residents across different neighborhoods and learn more about the environmental, economic, and quality-of-life priorities that matter most to the community.

Community Outreach Schedule:

1) Hollow Farmers Market

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: 1151 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604

2) Black Rock Farmers Market

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: 481 Brewster Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605

3) Downtown Farmers Market

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: McLevy Green, 102 Bank St, Bridgeport, CT

4) Community Resource Cookout

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: 985 Stratford Ave, Bridgeport, CT

5) East Side Farmers Market

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Park, 474 East Washington Ave, Bridgeport, CT

Inland Connecticut: Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP) Survey Now Open

Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), Capitol Region COG (CRCOG), Northeastern Connecticut COG (NECCOG), and Northwest Hills COG (NHCOG) have partnered to develop a Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP) for Inland Connecticut. The goal of this initiative is to help the region’s local roads and bridges better withstand extreme weather events, particularly flooding.

CT to Receive $27M to Find and Replace

Lead Pipes Carrying Drinking Water

CT Public Radio -June 2, 2026

Connecticut will receive $27.4 million in federal funding to identify and replace lead service lines that carry drinking water to homes and businesses. The funding will help communities locate unknown pipe materials, remove aging lead infrastructure, and comply with federal requirements aimed at reducing lead exposure and improving public health. State and federal officials say the investment is an important step toward ensuring safer drinking water for Connecticut residents.

Ex-NOAA Employees Re-create a Valuable

Climate Data Site Shut Down by Trump

NPR - June 26, 2026

Scientists, educators, farmers and the broader public now have a new website for climate information in the United States. The site, Climate.us, launched this week and fills a void left when a government-run climate information website was shut down last year by the Trump administration. The new site was created by former employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — the government's lead scientific agency for climate, weather and ocean monitoring — who worked on Climate.gov until they were laid off last year as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutbacks.

The Resilience Roundup highlights CIRCA's presence in the news, provides links to recent local/state/national news articles related to resilience and adaptation, and announces upcoming events and seminars.

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation's (CIRCA) mission is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut's coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change and extreme weather on the natural, built, and human environment. The institute is located at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus and includes faculty from across the university. CIRCA is a partnership between UConn and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).