Celebrating Women’s History Month + CRCOG updates

March 20, 2025| Issue 3

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Did you know that Women’s History Month was started by a momentum of state-by-state actions that led to the declaration and national recognition by Congress in March of 1987? In this issue we’re highlighting Kim Lord, the Finance Director for the town of Manchester. Happy reading!

This newsletter is 1,366 words and is approximately a 7-minute read.

CRCOG’s Legislative Update: Key Developments in Municipal Finance and Special Education Funding

There's still almost three months left of the current legislative session. That’s a significant amount of time for lawmakers to hear public testimony and continue key discussions as they draft and work to finalize bills! On Monday, March 3, Governor Lamont vetoed a bipartisan $40 Million supplemental special-education appropriation.

CRCOG’s following the work coming out of the Planning and Development Committee, Emergency Certification General Assembly Session in addition to the Governor’s recent veto. Here’s the full legislative update.

A Leading Lady: Meet Kim, Director of Finance with the Town of Manchester

As a part of Women's History Month, we're excited to profile Kimberly Lord, the Director of Finance for Manchester. She brings 25 years of expertise in government finance. She leads a talented team of 22 professionals across four divisions: accounting, purchasing, assessment, and revenue collection. Kimberly has served as the past President of the Connecticut GFOA and currently sits on several local boards and committees.

As a Certified Public Finance Officer and Certified Connecticut Municipal Collector, she has been honored with the National GFOA Recognition for Outstanding Public Service. Outside of work, Kimberly is a proud grandmother who enjoys travel, art, and photography. She is passionate about public service and strives to lead with integrity and dedication every day. Thank you for your service and dedication to the community.

10 Years of TOD: Shaping the Future Together!

Today, we partnered with Connecticut Main Street Center, Inc. for an insightful event examining the transformative power of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and its impact on municipalities.

🗓 Date: Thursday, March 20

🕗 Time: Starting at 8 AM

Read the full article here. Register here.

Join Us for CT Policy Talks: A Free 3-Part Series – Two more events left!

We’re partnering with UConn’s School of Public Policy on a FREE 3-part series, CT Policy Talks. We kicked off our first event on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Hartford Public Library. The Local Interventions to Address Substance Use Disorders session brought together nonprofit and substance abuse professionals along with community leaders.

We have two more free events coming up in April and May. Don't miss out on these engaging and informative sessions! Lunch will be provided. Register now to secure your spot.

Event 2: Connecticut’s Neighborhood Revitalization Zones After 30 Years

Date: April 10, 2025

Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm

Location: Hartford Public Library, Park Street, Hartford

Speakers: Lydia Wileden, Assistant Research Professor, UConn School of Public Policy; Aaron Gill, Former Director, Frog Hollow NRZ; Marion Griffin, Co-Chair, Hartford NEXT, Margaret Malinowski, Neighborhood Preservation Program Administrator, City of New Britain; Debi Martin, Program Officer, LISC Connecticut

📅 Register today

Event 3: Measuring & Addressing Transportation Insecurity in Connecticut

Date: May 22, 2025

Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm

Location: TBD

Moderator: Lydia Wileden, Assistant Research Professor, UConn School of Public Policy

📅 Register today

Your feedback matters: Take and share our CRCOG Surveys

We want to HEAR FROM YOU! You can help us by taking the following surveys:

The CRCOG SS4A Transportation Safety Action Plan Survey is paving the way to safer streets for everyone. The SS4A grant program aims to strengthen local safety planning through the Safe System approach and its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Take the survey and use our interactive map to pinpoint safety concerns in the Capitol Region. Take the survey. Plus, be entered to win a $25 VISA gift card!
We’ve launched a Public Outreach Effectiveness Survey. As part of our 2025 Public Participation Plan update, we want to engage those who live, work, and travel in the CRCOG region to identify the best ways to communicate with the public about CRCOG’s transportation planning program, incorporate your feedback into our planning process, and measure our outreach success. We would appreciate your participation! Take our Public Outreach Survey.

Spruce up your professional development this spring

The UConn School of Public Policy’s Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative (PSELC) is offering two dynamic workshops—designed to elevate leadership and workplace success! CRCOG employees and members receive a discounted rate when they register. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and lead! Pass this along to your employees and members.

April 11, 2025 | 9 AM - 4 PM

Operationalizing DEIB: Practices for Workplace Success

🎤 Led by Kenya Rutland, Principal & Chief Enthusiasm Officer, KJR Consulting

📍 UConn Hartford Times Building, Hartford, CT

📅 Register by April 4

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 a 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:

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.
The Section 5310 Grant Program is a federal grant program intended to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and expanding transportation mobility options. Awards require a 20% municipal match. Application deadline: April 1, 2025. Application materials can be found online at the state’s contracting portal CTsource Bid Board (search for solicitation "27148"). Program information and application instructions can also be found on CTDOT’s Section 5310 program website. Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted as one (1) PDF file via email to both DOT.Section5310@ct.gov and dnoll@crcog.org. CTDOT and CRCOG will not review late applications.
The National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund – Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership program (LWCF-ORLP) is accepting applications via CTDEEP by April 1, 2025. Learn more .
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

CRCOG Anniversaries: 🎉 Celebrating Our People! 🎉

We love CRCOG's people POWER! Our employees are the secret sauce that makes everything possible. A huge congratulations to Cara on her 10th anniversary! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Here's to many more years of success and teamwork!