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Earth Day is just around the corner. We’re bringing this discussion to our social channels, so let us know what your municipality is doing to engage and promote programs that focus on environmental protection and resiliency. We also have an environmental sustainability throwback at the end of this newsletter. Happy reading!
This newsletter is 2,394 words and is approximately a 12-minute read.
| | CRCOG’s Legislative Update: Get ready for our legislative breakfast | |
There is a little under two months left of Connecticut’s Legislative Session. Lawmakers are highly engaged in their committee work and continue to hold public hearings.
We’re excited to announce our Legislative Breakfast on April 24, 2025, from 9 to 11 am. This free event requires registration. It will take place at 300 Capital Avenue Hartford, CT 06106. For CRCOG Policy Board and Legislators For more information email: Laura Frankowski or Donna Hamzy Carroccia. Register here.
What’s CRCOG up to?
| | Save the Date: CRCOG’s Annual Meeting is Thursday, June 5 | We’re looking forward to our Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Mayor Erin Stewart will be our keynote speaker this year’s event will be at the New Britain Musuem of Art in New Britain, Connecticut. Put a hold on your calendar and stay tuned for registration details. | | A Downtown with Big Dreams: D-PRAT (and CRCOG) Comes to Thompsonville | | |
D-PRAT (and CRCOG) Comes to Thompsonville - Enfield’s Director of Economic and Community Development, Aaron Marcavitch, sees immense potential in the town’s historic downtown—Thompsonville. Once a thriving mill town, the area faced decline following urban renewal efforts, the closure of the Bigelow-Hartford Carpet Mill, and the rise of big-box retail just miles away.
Determined to help revitalize the area, Aaron applied for support just days into his new role. Enfield was selected as the fourth project for the Urban Design and Preservation Rapid Assistance Team (D-PRAT)—a pro-bono initiative of the American Planning Association (APA), which offers expert planning and design support to under-resourced communities. Read the full article.
| Public feedback wanted: Help shape future pathways! | We’d love your help! Join us on April 29 from 6:30-7:30 pm in shaping the future of biking and walking in our region with the Priority Pathways Plan. Register today: bit.ly/PriorityPathwayMeeting1. | Lessons Learned: Makahlia says farewell... | | Hi, I’m Makahlia Harris, a passionate communications professional who thrives on storytelling, digital strategy, and creating meaningful engagement. I could say that interning at the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) was awesome, but instead, I’ll say… it was one of the best experiences I could have asked for in my early career. Read the full post. | | Empowering Bristol’s Future: Fifth Graders Learn Life-Saving Skills | | |
Fifth-grade students across Bristol are gaining essential emergency preparedness skills through the Student Tools for Emergency Preparedness (STEP) Program—a FEMA initiative that CRCOG proudly supports.
This year, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), along with the Emergency Management Director and members of the Police and Fire Departments, have brought the program to seven public schools and two parochial schools, reaching a total of 669 students.
Through educational videos, hands-on training, and emergency kit building, students learn how to stay safe and prepared. Each participant receives an emergency preparedness backpack, equipping them with vital tools for real-world situations.
The recent session at Hubbell School in Bristol highlighted the program’s impact, as students actively engaged in discussions and hands-on activities. The goal is to instill confidence and readiness in young learners, ensuring they know how to respond in emergency situations.
CRCOG encourages all our communities to take part in the initiative. For more information, please contact our Director of Public Safety Cheryl Assis.
| | Thursday Throwback: Embracing #sustainability, it’s as easy as a hack | | Earth Day is April 22! To celebrate, we're sharing a top sustainability hack from former intern Lindsay Drotman. She crafted an awesome list for our team, and now it's your turn to benefit. 🌍 | | Spruce up your professional development this spring | | |
May 16, 2025 | 9 AM – 4 PM
Principles of Project Management
🎤 Led by Michael Schrier, Director, YSM/West Campus Development, Yale University
📍 UConn Hartford Times Building, Hartford, CT
📅 Register by May 9
| | CRCOG Funding Opportunities | | |
State and Federal Funding Opportunities
View the latest issue of the Funding Newsletter and contact Elizabeth Sanderson for more information or to provide specific information about a project for which you are seeking funding. Here are a few recent highlights:
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CTDOT’s Community Connectivity Grant Program makes $12M available for municipal construction projects that aim to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users in urban, suburban, and rural communities in Connecticut. Apply by May 21, 2025.
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CTDEEP is seeking applicants for its ConneCTed Communities Grant, a program that seeks to bring quality, reliable internet services to communities across Connecticut. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
See the Requests for Your Input section of the newsletter to share your thoughts with CRCOG and state agencies that are seeking to improve services such as broadband infrastructure, data systems, and active transportation.
Visit CRCOG’s BIL/IIJA web page for summaries of many funding opportunities.
MetroHartford Brownfields Program
Application deadline: Ongoing
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April 21, 2025
Transportation Committee Meeting (Virtual)
12 – 1:30 pm
April 21, 2025
Central CT Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) (Virtual)
2 – 3 pm
April 23, 2025
Policy Board (Virtual)
12 – 1:30 pm
April 24, 2025
Capitol Region Emergency Planning Council Meeting (Hybrid)
9:30 – 11 am
April 24, 2025
CRCOG’s Legislative Breakfast (In-person)
9 – 11 am
Registration for this event is required. Reach out to Laura Frankowski for more information. The event will take place at 300 Capital Avenue Hartford, CT 06106.
May 13, 2025
Municipal Services Committee (In-person)
12 – 1:30 pm
May 13, 2025
Bike-Pedestrian Committee Meeting (Hybrid)
2:30 – 4 pm
May 14, 2025
Executive Committee (Virtual)
12 – 1 pm
May 19, 2025
Transportation Committee Meeting (Virtual)
12- 1: 30 pm
May 19, 2025
Central CT Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) (Virtual)
1:30 – 3 pm
May 20, 2025
Regional Housing Strategy Advisory Committee Meeting (Onsite – CRCOG Boardroom)
1:30 – 3 pm
May 22, 2025
CT Policy Talks (Onsite, Ground Floor Conference Room)
12 to 1:30 pm
May 28, 2025
Policy Board (Hybrid)
12 – 1:30 pm
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