Purpose: To facilitate the transfer, reuse and redevelopment of potentially polluted commercial and industrial real property which otherwise would remain vacant and unproductive for the economy of the municipality, region and state. When necessary, the state can commit public funds to prepare the planning and implementation of the site remediation. These funds are intended as "seed capital" to expedite the project. Recovery of state funds committed to a project will be sought.

I. Definitions

Distressed Communities: Connecticut municipalities meeting the criteria established under section 32-9p CGS and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Targeted Investment Communities: Connecticut municipalities, which contain an Urban Enterprise Zone or Enterprise Corridor Zone within the corporate boundaries.

II. Project Types and Criteria

Economic Development Initiative (Type 1): DEP will expedite the review, inspection and approval of the remedial investigation, planning and implementation for those properties identified by DECD as significant to the state's economy. To be eligible for this program, the owner or developer of the contaminated property must be willing and able to conduct the investigations and remediate the site.

Eligible communities: statewide

Unwilling or Unable Party (Type 2): DEP will investigate and if necessary perform the remediation on the properties identified by DECD as significant to the state's economy. In these cases, the property owner either has not been identified, is unwilling or is unable to perform the remediation. The state will seek to recover the expended state funds.

Eligible communities: Distressed Municipalities & Targeted Investment Communities (please refer to the list below)

Targeted Investment Communities List

Bridgeport, Bristol, East Hartford, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Plainfield, Plainville, Putnam, Sprague, Stratford, Thompson, Torrington, Waterbury, Winchester, Windham and Windsor Locks

Distressed Municipalities List

Hartford, New Britain, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Windham, East Hartford, New London, Meriden, Ansonia, West Haven, Winchester, Derby, Torrington, Naugatuck, Bristol, Norwich, Plainville, Killingly, Plymouth, Sprague, Putnam, Enfield, East Windsor and Stafford.