Rep. Mike Demicco: New FHS Athletic Field Grant Awarded

 Farmington Receives$500K Small Town Assistance Grant

Farmington State Rep. Mike Demicco praised Governor Dannel P. Malloy for supporting the first round of 2014 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants. Farmington was awarded $500,000 to install an artificial turf field at Farmington High School.

"I am very pleased to see this project moving forward. A new athletic field is a sound investment in Farmington's athletic programs that will benefit student athletes for years to come," said State Representative Mike Demicco (D-21). “I would like to thank Governor Malloy, the Town of Farmington and The Friends of Farmington Field for bringing this dream closer to reality."

"I know Farmington residents have been strongly behind this project, which would benefit more than a thousand athletes in town, so I'm pleased to see the state partnering with Farmington," said State Senator Beth Bye (D-5). “It's a great investment for the community.”

This project consists of installing a synthetic turf athletic field at FHS, including updating the existing subsurface drainage system to store and cleanse runoff from the field and diverting the runoff away from the path of the Farmington River. Other benefits include lower maintenance cost, increased playability, fewer injuries, potential for hosting CIAC events and tournaments.

“On behalf of the Town of Farmington and the Friends of Farmington Field we could not be more excited to receive the $500,000 grant from the State of Connecticut,” said Farmington Town Manager Kathleen Eagen. “This is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when the State, Town and Community collaborate and work together for a common goal that benefits the entire community.”

This is the first round of 2014 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants, a total of more than $2.4 million awarded to Avon, Chester, Farmington, Milford, New Milford and Sprague. Administered by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), STEAP provides funding for local capital improvement projects that support economic development, encourage community conservation and improve the quality of life for residents.

“Over the last three years, we have worked with our partners in towns across the state to identify and invest in important capital projects that are growing jobs and local economies, strengthening local infrastructure and encouraging business growth,” said Governor Malloy. “STEAP has allowed us to get money directly to municipalities to complete projects that are benefiting residents now and helping small towns maintain the unique qualities that are a large part of what makes Connecticut such a great place to live, work and visit."