Crisco says state poised for growth in stem-cell field

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, co-chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee and vice-chair of its Commerce Committee, said today Connecticut is poised for economic growth in the near future to coincide with an ongoing expansion of stem cell and genetics research in the state.  
Crisco was among those briefed Tuesday on the topic at a special Legislative Office Building forum.

He said Connecticut’s investments in genomic and stem cell research are setting the stage for a new generation of high-tech jobs and economic growth, centered on the research underway at Yale, Wesleyan, and the University of Connecticut.

“The work underway by scientists at Yale and UConn has already resulted in new patents and innovations that are likely to translate into new jobs in the field of bioscience and personalized medicine,” Crisco said. “Connecticut is well positioned to attract the type of private sector investment necessary to capitalize on our public investments in research and development.”

 Crisco said Tuesday’s forum was convened by the legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

 “Our decisions to invest modestly and steadily in this emerging field are expected to return additional dividends as a direct result of last year’s move to bring the Jackson Laboratory to the state to continue its stem cell and genomics research near and in conjunction with the UConn Health Center in Farmington,” Crisco said.

 “Jackson Labs is scheduled to break ground soon after the first of the year as additional, bricks and mortar evidence of growth and economic development in this relatively new sector of our economy.”

This information was provided by Crisco's office.

Crisco welcomes housing-rehab grants

4 towns to get federal funds

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. , D-Woodbridge, today welcomed news of state approval for federal grants applied for by four 17th District towns.
Crisco said Naugatuck will receive a $500,000 grant while Ansonia, Beacon Falls, and Woodbridge are each in line for $300,000.
In each town state funds will help underwrite housing rehabilitation projects to improve conditions for residents without impacting the municipal budget.
 “I’m delighted by news of these successful grant applications because in the modest budgets of these four small towns there isn’t always room enough to complete all the projects one might like,” Crisco said.
“The $1.4 million to be shared in our district is part of a $10.9 million grant program for housing improvements in 31 Connecticut towns.”
This federal funding originates with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and its Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, which is in turn administered by Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development.
Crisco said the work to be completed ranges from energy efficiency upgrades to lead testing and remediation as necessary, and from electrical and plumbing improvements to kitchen and bathroom upgrades.
 “I’m particularly excited about the project in Naugatuck, where improvements will not only upgrade existing ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) units to ensure compliance, but it will add a half-dozen ADA-compliant units after conversions from six regular units,” Crisco said.
 “This seems to be a very cost-effective and creative use of public funding to help residents who require fully accessible housing by making more housing available for them.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office. 

Crisco says grant to help Valley study animal control

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today welcomed news of a state efficiency incentive grant for the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley to study the cost-saving potential for creating and operating a regional animal control operation.

Crisco said the $44,500 grant is from the state’s new Regional Performance Incentive Program, to be administered by the state Office of Policy and Management.

“I know first-hand how the animal control operations in several of my 17^th District towns have been in flux these past couple years for a variety of reasons so I’m delighted with news of this grant to help Naugatuck Valley communities explore potential long-term solutions to the matter,” Crisco said. “The unpredictable demands of an animal control operation require adequate facilities to humanely feed, shelter, exercise, and treat any variety of species, and house its administrative functions as well, and if all this can be done more efficiently on a regional basis we have to seriously explore and consider it.”

Crisco said this grant is one of 20 awarded statewide totaling more than $8.6 million to planning organizations and economic development districts responsible for providing regionalized services.

“Making local government more efficient will help lower costs and save property tax dollars,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, while announcing the grants. "These grants are an investment in less expensive government.  Using improved technology to reduce costs and taking a collaborative approach to providing local services meets the needs of residents in a smarter way.”

Crisco said his district will also benefit from a $54,581 grant to the South Central Connecticut Regional Council of Governments to study additional efficiencies for member municipalities.

This is taken from a release from Crisco's office.