June 17, 2011

SPEAKER DONOVAN, REPS. ALTOBELLO & ABERCROMBIE ANNOUNCE $6.5 MILLION EXPECTED FOR MERIDEN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

Governor Malloy Says Project will Create Jobs, Serve Health Care Needs of Meriden and Surrounding Area

House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and Meriden State Representatives Emil "Buddy" Altobello and Catherine F. Abercrombie announced today that Meriden expects to receive $6.5 million in state bond funds for the Community Health Center on State Street in Meriden.

The Meriden delegation said the funds are expected to be approved when the state Bond Commission meets on June 24.

The funds are to finance construction, renovations and equipping of expansion space for the Community Health Center facility at 134 State Street in Meriden. The project includes expansion into approximately 20,000 square feet on two stories in the building adjacent to the existing center.

"This is not only great news for Meriden, but for all of the people the Community Health Centers serve," said Speaker Donovan. "These centers help keep our community healthy by providing critical services to so many individuals who otherwise would have to forego important care."

"In addition, this is important economic development for Meriden that will create construction jobs in the near term and permanent health care jobs down the road," Speaker Donovan added. "I am grateful to Governor Malloy for his support of this project."

Governor Dannel P. Malloy said, "The 80 jobs associated with this one project alone - 60 construction-related and 20 permanent at the health center - will help put people in Connecticut back to work while serving the healthcare needs of people in Meriden and the surrounding areas. Community Healthcare Centers meet a critical need in the community, and I'm pleased to support this project."

"Over the years, the Community Health Centers have done a great job," Rep. Altobello said. "Their services are needed now more than ever. With so many people out of work and losing their work-related health insurance, the centers really pick up the slack for us. The significance of the jobs this project will create should not be underestimated either, as we continue to help our cities and towns like Meriden recover and prosper."

"With the advent of national health care reform and increased demand by those who previously could not access essential services, centers like these will become increasingly critical to a functioning health care system," Rep. Abercrombie said. "I am pleased these funds have been approved for the center and assure my constituents this is money well-spent toward improving the quality of life for all."

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For Immediate Release: June 17, 2011

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