Sen. Hartley Discusses Brownfields and Redevelopment Trends in DECD Panel

Senator Joan Hartley discusses redevelopment trends and Brownfield funding alongside Dale Kroop, Bob Labanara, David Kooris and Karmen Cheung

Last week, State Senator Joan Hartley, Senate Chair of the Commerce Committee, participated in a panel hosted by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to discuss current market trends and their effects on brownfield redevelopment in Connecticut. She was joined by Karmen Cheung, Senior Developer, Pennrose, LLC, David Kooris, Executive Director, CT Municipal Redevelopment Authority (MRDA), Dale Kroop Founder and ED, New Colony Development Corporation and Bob Labanara, Business Development Manager, Gilbane Building Co. and the discussion was moderated by Deputy Commissioner Matt Pugliese.

In the last biennial budget, funding for Brownfield Remediation was increased from $50 million to $70 million and it is estimated that every $1 of state funding leverages $20 in private funding.

“Brownfield remediation is a fantastic example of how public private partnerships can clean blighted and contaminated properties and make way for powerful economic development opportunities,” said Sen. Hartley. “Today’s panel was a reminder of how much energy there is behind these development opportunities, and the real change they can make for municipalities and residents across Connecticut. This legislative session I look forward to continuing to improve these processes and invest in trade job training to ensure that when these projects are ready to get off the ground, there are skilled Connecticut workers ready to make it happen.”

As Chair of the Commerce Committee, Senator Hartley has led passage of a number of pieces of legislation to invest in and improve processes surrounding brownfield remediation and turning blighted properties into opportunities for economic development.

In the 2023 session Senator Hartley led passage of SB 1042 which allowed brownfield land banks to use state funds for operational costs and SB 1092 which allowed the land banks to enter agreements with regional councils of government.

After much collaboration between DECD, DEEP, environmental lawyers, developers and more on the Transfer Act Working Group, Senator Hartley led passage of legislation which implemented a released-base remediation program for real estate transfers.

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Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov | 860-304-2319