October 20, 2011
REP. TABORSAK ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION STATE GRANT
FOR DOWNTOWN DANBURY DEVELOPMENT
Rep. Bob Godfrey and Governor Malloy Tout Funding
State Representative Joe Taborsak (D-Danbury) announced this afternoon that Danbury’s Community Health Center is set to receive $4 million in state funding for the construction of a state of the art facility at the location of the former Danbury police station.
“This is a historical moment for Danbury for two reasons: There has never been such an infusion of state support into Main Street Danbury and such an investment in the health and well-being of Danbury area residents. It’s a great win-win,” Taborsak said.
“In an era where my constituents are telling me that access to affordable quality health care is a concern, this new and expanded health center goes a very long way to meeting their needs.” Rep. Godfrey stated. “We have worked long and hard as a team in securing the state’s support. I applaud Governor Malloy for his backing and am delighted to see this coming to fruition. I look forward to the ground breaking and ribbon cutting.”
The funds, expected to get approval when the State Bond Commission meets Friday, will make a significant economic development impact on downtown by creating over 150 permanent and temporary jobs that will help improve the local economy, provide accessible health care and enhance Danbury’s revitalization efforts.
"There are many residents in Danbury and the surrounding towns who rely on the medical, behavioral and other health services that the Community Health Center of Greater Danbury provides,” Governor Malloy said. “This grant for its expansion will help the Center improve the delivery of care to its patients, whether it be primary, dental or behavioral health services, and continue its core mission of improving the health and well being of the community it serves.”
"The people of greater Danbury deserve to have access to a first-rate community health care facility," said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden). "This grant gives them that. Combined with new jobs and help to revitalize downtown, this is a significant project for the Danbury community. I want to thank Reps. Taborsak, Godfrey and Lyddy, as well as the Connecticut Institute For Communities and former Congressman Maloney for their hard work to help secure the funding, and for understanding the beneficial impact this facility can have on the community."
"This is great news for greater Danbury residents," said Rep. Chris Lyddy (D-Newtown). "The new facility will enable many residents to receive the health care already enjoyed by others. Construction of the facility also will provide a boost to the local economy. It has been an honor to work with Rep. Taborsak, Jim Maloney and the Governor's Office on this initiative and trust that as a result of our collaborative efforts more people will have access to health care.”
The $4 million grant is expected to create at least 60 constructions jobs and approximately 100 permanent jobs including health care providers as well as support and administrative positions.
“I would like to especially thank Governor Malloy and Speaker Donovan for their strong support of this important project,” Taborsak said. “They have both been critical in making this happen and have shown a real commitment to the health and well being of Danbury area residents.”
“This is wonderful news for the CIFC Community Health Center of Greater Danbury and for the entire Danbury community. Governor Dannel Malloy, Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and Representative Joe Taborsak have done magnificent work in making this project possible,” Hon. James H. Maloney, Esq., President/Chief Executive Officer Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. (CIFC) said. “They have shown their deep commitment both to downtown Danbury and to the people in our community most in need of health care services. This project will be a solid boost to the Danbury economy and a very important on-going benefit to our region’s residents for generations to come.”
“What great news! This new state-of-the-art community medical facility will more than double the patient-services capacity of our Health Center, and it will also allow us to fully integrate medical care, dental care, and behavioral health care into a single facility that will secure for Danbury area families the best possible health services,” Dr. Thomas F. Draper, MD, MPH Medical Director CIFC Community Health Center of Greater Danbury stated. “Our CIFC Health Center was recently honored to be designated as a “Patient Centered Medical Home” by the National Committee For Quality Assurance, one of only two Community Health Centers in all of Connecticut (out of 14) with such accreditation. This new building will enable us to continue our high quality health care in an equally high-quality facility.”
The health center is sponsored by the Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc. (CIFC), a Danbury-based community development organization that also sponsors a number of other social services programs in Danbury, including Head Start of Northern Fairfield County.