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Three completed rounds listed (April 2022, December 2022, August 2023); no future rounds announced.
CT Communities Challenge Grant is sponsored by Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The Department of Economic and Community Development undertakes a competitive grant application process to fund multiple projects under the CT Communities Challenge Grant Program.
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CT Communities Challenge Grant CT Communities Challenge Grant If you are viewing this version of CT. gov, you are using an unsupported browser or you are in Internet Explorer 9 using compatibility mode. This means that the design and layout of the site is not fully supported, however the content of the site is still fully accessible and functional.
For the full website experience, please update your browser to one of the Internet Explorer 10 or higher. High Contrast Mode On or Off switch CT Communities Challenge Grant In 2021, DECD created the CT Communities Challenge, a competitive matching grant program that funds multiple projects in an effort to improve livability, vibrancy, convenience, and equity of communities throughout the state.
The Program is intended to create potentially 3,000 new jobs. It is DECD’s goal to allocate approximately 50% of the funds to eligible and competitive projects in distressed municipalities. Successful projects include multiple of the elements below: Transit-oriented development that densifies commercial and/or residential land uses near transit hubs.
Downtown / major hub development that improves or reuses existing property (Brownfields remediation may be a component of such application). Essential infrastructure that facilitates future development. Housing to support affordability, accessibility, and local workforce.
Mobility improvements that increase connectivity to transit and promotes economic activity, including pedestrian, ADA, and bicycle improvements. Public space improvements that provide amenities to the community, including open spaces, public art projects, wayfinding, and lighting and safety improvements. In total, the CT Communities Challenge program has awarded more than $99 million in support of projects in 21 cities and towns.
These awards are expected to create over 2,000 units of housing, more than 300,000 square feet of office, retail, and restaurant space, and at least 12 new public space projects. For every dollar DECD is investing, CT Communities Challenge projects are leveraging approximately two dollars in non-state investment. The program is also meeting the goal of investing more than half of the funding in distressed municipalities.
News & Announcements: See Governor Lamont’s announcements of CT Communities Challenge Awards: Round 1: April 6, 2022 Round 1 April 6, 2022 announcement of awardees. Round 2: December 20, 2022 Round 2 December 20, 2022 announcement of awardees.
Round 3: August 10, 2023 Round 3 August 10, 2023 announcement of awardees *New Haven - $6,000,000 grant award for the “Grander” Grand Avenue Roadway & Streetscape Revitalization Project : This project will implement public safety and traffic improvements that celebrate the diversity of Fair Haven neighborhoods, support economic development, and provide a cohesive pedestrian experience from Downtown New Haven to the Quinnipiac River along Grand Avenue.
This project supports transit-oriented development by providing traffic and pedestrian upgrades on a major hub on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit plan for at Grand Avenue and Ferry Street.
It will help to support and to facilitate major residential and commercial redevelopment activities occurring along Grand Avenue, while providing increased pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to downtown and surrounding public amenities, including the Mill River greenway and Quinnipiac River Park.
Creation of a public square in the Fair Haven neighborhood by redeveloping an underutilized City-owned parking lot will create a major destination for residents of the neighborhood, allow for community events and gatherings, and promote public art. *This grant award consists of de-allocated funds returned to the program from previous CT Community Challenge awards.
New Haven’s Grand Avenue project was the first project not originally awarded in Round 3. Contact: Questions regarding the Application should be addressed to CTCommunitiesChallenge@ct. gov .
Any clarification or supplemental information will be added to this webpage.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Municipalities and community organizations in Connecticut. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Not specified Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
DECD Community Investment Fund (Bridgeport Business Alliance Grants) is sponsored by Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). A five-year grant program supporting new and existing small businesses looking to scale. Funds can be used for operating expenses. Priority is given to minority, women, disabled, and veteran-owned businesses and those in distressed municipalities.
The Youth Service Corps Grant Program is a grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) that funds Youth Service Bureaus providing prevention, intervention, and treatment services for at-risk, delinquent, pregnant, parenting, and troubled youth. Youth Service Bureaus are agencies operated by municipalities or designated private agencies that coordinate and implement services for youth from birth to age 18. Bureau operations must include an Advisory Board, an annual plan, and accountability to elected municipal officials. Grants provide $10,000 per participating youth or young adult plus 15% for program administration. Eligible applicants are municipalities of priority school districts as described in Connecticut General Statutes section 10-266p. No specific deadline is listed.