It's a Wrap: Takeaways from the Legislation Session

The 2026 session of the CT General Assembly was a productive one for CRCOG. We successfully advocated for the priority items listed in our Legislative Agenda, including transportation funding, increased education funding and municipal aid, and the siting of renewable energy facilities. We also achieved legislation that provides immunity for regional fair rent commissions, and moderate revisions to provide clarity to SS PA 25-1, An Act Concerning Housing Growth. We were unable to obtain a few of our goals, most notably an extension for certain zoning changes mandated by SS PA 25-1, a fix to the allocation of the Regional Performance Incentive Account (RPIA), and revisions to the Small-Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant. Overall, however, this was a successful session for CRCOG and our members.

Transportation and Infrastructure

CTfastrak East

This item is the highlight of this past session, as House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (East Hartford, Manchester) supported our request seeking $800,000 in state funding for CRCOG to conduct a study to bring bus rapid transit east of the Connecticut River. The FY 27 Revised Budget (LCO 5761 / SB 1) includes a dedicated $800,000 appropriation directing CRCOG to conduct a study of CTfastrak East. Our study will scope alignment, station siting, ridership modeling, environmental constraints, and the cost-benefit basis for a future BRT extension. This initiative has many potential economic and community development benefits for the communities in the eastern part of the CRCOG region.

Read the full update.

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Just Around the Corner: Register for CRCOG’s Annual Meeting Today

Registration is now open, and we hope you will join us for CRCOG’s 52nd Annual Meeting, taking place on June 3 from 12 to 2:30 pm at the UConn Alumni Center. This year’s Annual Meeting will bring together CRCOG members, municipal leaders, and regional stakeholders for an engaging and informative program highlighting the importance of collaboration across the Capitol Region.

We are pleased to welcome Joe D’Ambrosio, renowned American sports broadcaster and the longtime voice of the UConn Huskies, as our keynote speaker. Joe will share insights from his distinguished career and reflect on the power of leadership, teamwork, and community.

How Warehousing Shapes Our Community and Our Roads

Exceptional work is happening across the Capitol Region. It is making a meaningful difference in our communities. CRCOG is proud to recognize the programs, initiatives, and partnerships that strengthen our region and improve quality of life.

Know a project that deserves recognition? Submit a nomination today and help us highlight the innovative work shaping the Capitol Region’s future. The deadline to submit is April 30, 2026.

CRCOG’s Pathways Plan is Now Published and We’re Seeking Public Comment Up Until June 14

The Priority Pathways Plan has put together a vision for a connected regional bicycle and pedestrian network across the Capitol Region's 38 municipalities. It identifies investments that will make it safer and more practical to walk, bike, and roll for people of all ages and abilities. The draft plan is now available for public review through June 14, 2026, and we want to hear your input on how we can achieve this vision!

Comments can be emailed to mcipriano@crcogct.gov.

Read the Plan.

Three Decades of Excellence: 2026 SWAT School Training

From April 6–17, the 2026 Capitol Region SWAT School continued their 30-year tradition of delivering high-quality regional training. This year, 26 officers from eight SWAT teams completed two weeks of intensive, hands-on instruction, with a strong focus on less-lethal tools and their use during critical incidents. Training was conducted at the Manchester and Glastonbury ranges and the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill.

Participants demonstrated professionalism, discipline, and a strong commitment to strengthening their operational readiness and team capabilities. The program highlighted the value of regional collaboration and shared expertise across departments.

Special thanks to Sgt. David Williams (Manchester Police Department and Assistant Commander of the Capitol Region Emergency Services Team) for his leadership in coordinating the program. Appreciation also goes to the Manchester Police Department for supporting the time and resources needed to deliver the training, and to an outstanding instructor group from across the state, including CRCOG’s Glenn Buonanducci for mentoring the next generation.

This training ensures officers are better prepared to support incident commanders with additional options and expertise, ultimately improving safety for the public, responders, and all involved in high-risk situations.

Your Voice Matters: Comment on CRCOG’s Regional Safety Plan

At CRCOG, we share a bold but essential goal: Vision Zero. By 2040, we aim to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes to zero across the Capitol Region. While that goal may be ambitious, we believe every life lost or permanently changed on our roadways is one too many and preventable.

Over the past several years, CRCOG and its municipal partners have been working toward solutions that will make our streets safer for everyone who uses them. Thanks to a U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant, we’ve taken a major step forward.

Read the full post.

#CRCOGWho: Laura Frankowski transitions to Program Manager

After a 12-week maternity leave, Laura Frankowski, formerly Matt Hart’s Executive Assistant, returns to CRCOG as a Program Manager in the Municipal Services Department and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Department. In this role, she’ll assist with grant preparation, implementation, and fulfillment, as well as vendor relations, purchasing, and committee support responsibilities.

During her time as Matt’s Executive Assistant, she had the opportunity to see the inner workings of the Policy Board and gain a deeper understanding of how CRCOG serves the region. Through that experience, she found herself wanting to take on a more direct role in supporting our member municipalities and regional partners.

She looks forward to working closely with our member municipalities, law enforcement partners, and colleagues as part of CRCOG’s mission to serve as a catalyst for enhancing the quality of life, vibrancy, and vitality of the Greater Hartford region.

She’s especially excited to reconnect and collaborate with so many of the great professionals she met during her time as an Executive Assistant.

CRCOG Anniversaries

It’s our people who power everything we do across the region, and today, we’re celebrating some of the best.

Happy work anniversary to Karen, Roger, Ryan, and Kim! Your dedication, talent, and teamwork make a real difference every day, and we’re grateful to have you on this journey with us.

Here’s to all you’ve accomplished and everything that is still ahead!

CRCOG Funding Opportunities

State and Federal Funding Opportunities

Have you read the latest funding newsletter ? View the archives. Contact Elizabeth Sanderson for more information or for help applying for a grant. Here are some featured opportunities:

CRCOG’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF) - CRCOG has issued a Request for Applications to fund brownfield cleanup projects. Loans and subgrants are available. Applications will be accepted until funds are obligated. Learn more .
CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will accept applications for Round 9 of the Community Investment Fund (CIF) grant program until June 5, 2026. Learn about the program and Application Tips for Round 9.

Federal:

U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. Nearly $1B is available nationwide for one of two types of grants to address road safety: 1) Planning and Demonstration or 2) Implementation. Apply online through ValidEval by May 26, 2026.
FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program funds projects that reduce disaster risk and strengthen infrastructure resilience. Nearly $1B is available to help protect communities across the country from hazards such as flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Learn more. Applications in Connecticut must be reviewed and accepted by the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security by July 1, 2026. Apply online through the FEMA Go portal.