Litchfield Hills Today

City Council approved a Strategic Spending Plan and Overall Budget for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the City of Torrington will receive $10,074,000.

The goals of this spending plan are:

• Sustain and Strengthen Torrington's Economic Recovery due to negative impacts from COVID-19
• Improve Vital Public Services and relieve one-time expenses (capital projects) from the Operating Budget
• Make investments that support long-term growth, opportunity and equity for Torrington Residents and Businesses.

One way to meet these goals is through a series of grant programs that meet the needs of the community and support long-term growth. The City is currently accepting applications for the following grants opportunities:

Community Impact Program: This program is intended to make transformative investments, over a wide-range of uses, that address the negative impacts caused or exacerbated by the Pandemic, while also strengthening the fabric of the community. Application open until April 2, 2023 @ 11:59pm. For more details and to apply click here  (NOTE: All applications must be submitted through NW CT Community Foundation website)

Facade and Building Improvement Program: This program is intended to strengthen the economic vitality of the City, stimulate reinvestment in commercial buildings and facilitate local economic development, by providing financial incentives that encourage improvements to the exterior appearance of commercial buildings or interior renovations that address life safety and code improvements. Application open until March 5, 2023 @ 11:59pm. For more details and to apply click here

An ad-hoc ARPA committee has been established to provide oversight of these grant programs and make funding recommendations to the City Council. This committee is comprised of representation from the City Council, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Board of Public Safety and the Park and Recreation Commission.

Original source can be found here.