October 24, 2011
NEW BRITAIN DELEGATION WELCOMES ITEMS
ON NEXT STATE BOND COMMISSION AGENDA
Hospital and Courthouse upgrades expected
New Britain’s state legislative delegation announced that the city is expected to receive a pair of state grants to fund hospital and courthouse upgrades at the upcoming meeting of the State Bond Commission on Friday, Oct. 28. The legislators thanked Governor Dannel Malloy, House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan and Senate President Donald Williams for supporting their efforts to secure the funding and also acknowledged the efforts of former State Senator Donald DeFronzo.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain is slated to receive $5 million for planning, design, land acquisition, development and construction of a cancer treatment center. The funding will also go toward renovations and upgrades of its oncology unit, and a Permanent Regional Phase One Clinical Trials Unit.
“I’m proud and thankful our leadership is providing funds for the cancer center in New Britain,” said State Representative Tim O’Brien (D-New Britain, Newington). “It’s critical to advance high tech and healthcare job growth into New Britain’s economic future.”
These funds were requested to provide a grant-in-aid to The Hospital of Central Connecticut as part of the UConn Health Network and Bioscience Initiative bill passed by the Legislature.
“This investment in a new cancer treatment center right here in New Britain couldn't come at a better time," said state Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain), who is Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. "Not only does this mean jobs and development, it is the culmination of a promise we made only a few months ago to begin re-making the health sciences sector in Connecticut. The people at Jackson Laboratories have recognized that, too, and it's one of the reasons why we have been able to move forward so quickly and so decisively on a new future for Connecticut's economy."
“With this bonding money, New Britain will improve our capacity for cancer treatment and enhance the hospital's well deserved reputation for excellence,” said State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-New Britain). “It's the right time to build. Lower construction costs and needed jobs.”
Rep. Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain, Bristol) said, “I want to thank Governor Malloy for placing on the Bond Commission agenda funding for the cancer center at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. For many patients, the ability to receive quality care close to home is so important.”
The Hospital of Central Connecticut has an accreditation as a Teaching Hospital Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and an accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
An additional item on the bonding agenda for New Britain is part of an overall $1.5 million upgrade to judicial buildings across the state. $225,000 will modify the New Britain courthouse lobby heating system.
“These funds are welcome news to New Britain as work on the new and upgraded hospital units and improved courthouse lobby heating system will bring much needed jobs,” Rep. Robert Sanchez (D-New Britain) said. “This support for the infusion of activity in our local economy is very encouraging.”
The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet at 10:45 a.m. Friday, October 28th in room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.