Rep. Shaban Applauds $2 Million State Bond for Georgetown Development

State Representative John Shaban (R-135) is applauding $2 million in state funding approved by the Bond Commission for the Georgetown Wire Mill Redevelopment Project.

The grant will allow the Georgetown Special Taxing District to reconstruct the Norwalk River Flood Walls as part of the redevelopment at the former Gilbert & Bennett wire mill factory in Redding.  The work will put the Project outside the 100-year floodplain, and will keep potentially contaminated soils from eroding downstream during severe flooding conditions.  The work will also make the Project compliant with the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The Georgetown Wire Mill Project continues to be a valuable investment in our community, and this grant will help both the environment and the economic viability of the Project,” said Rep. Shaban, a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and Ranking House Member of the Environment Committee. “I’m pleased we were able to direct some state tax dollars back to our towns, and I thank the Bond Commission for recognizing the importance of this Project.”

The Georgetown Wire Mill Redevelopment calls for 150,000 square feet of commercial development with 416 residential units, a 20,000 square foot community theater, 135,000 square feet of retail space and a commuter rail station.  The Project has nearly stalled during to the State’s continuing economic troubles, but the effort is still moving forward.  The first build out phase will be leveraged with approximately $60 million in private investment for residential development that includes up to 100 housing units. 

Before being elected to the State House in 2010, Shaban served as the Chair of the Redding Water Pollution Control Commission that oversaw the construction of the Georgetown sewer plant, and as Vice Chair of Zoning that oversaw the development and approval of the Wire Mill Redevelopment master plan.

The State Bond Commission, which approved the allotment during the January 9th meeting, is charged with determining which statewide project funding requests to approve, as well as the amount and timing of bond sales as requested by the State Treasurer. Rep. Shaban and Redding’s other State representatives, Rep. Carter and Sen. Boucher, along with former First Selectman Natalie Ketcham worked in support of the request.