The Sampson Record on Grants to Towns
Facts, Documents, Receipts Provided.
I generally do not spend much time highlighting government grants I’ve worked on, and there is a reason for that. This is taxpayer money, not money that comes from a politician’s pocket. Town officials identify needs and develop projects. State and federal agencies administer funding programs. Federal appropriations are obtained through our congressional delegation. State grants may involve state agencies, the Governor, the legislature, or the State Bond Commission, depending on the program.
A state legislator’s job is to help bridge the gap between the needs of the communities he represents and those funding mechanisms: work with local officials, support legitimate applications, sign letters of support, communicate with agencies and other levels of government, advocate for fair treatment, and help worthwhile projects move forward.
That is what I have done.
The examples below are extensive, but they are still not a complete inventory of every grant, funding request, or municipal project I have worked on during more than a decade representing local communities in the General Assembly. I have included the records that are presently organized and documented. Where I can establish an award, I say so. Where I have only an application or support letter, I identify it as such. I would rather understate the record than claim credit I cannot document.
SOUTHINGTON: RECENT CONFIRMED AWARDS WITH DOCUMENTED SUPPORT
GENERAL PULASKI TERRACE MODERNIZATION: $2,000,000
On May 13, 2024, I joined members of the Southington legislative delegation in formally supporting the Town of Southington’s application for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funding for the General Pulaski Housing Complex.
The request sought major modernization work, including roofing, drainage, heat pumps, security systems, and fire-alarm improvements.
Signed delegation letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/LOS%20TownOfSouthington05132024.pdf
The State of Connecticut subsequently awarded Southington $2 million for the General Pulaski Terrace project.
Official State of Connecticut award announcement:
https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2025/02-2025/governor-lamont-announces-12-million-in-small-cities-grants
SOUTHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT, WELLS 9 & 10 PFAS TREATMENT: $3,000,000
On April 25, 2025, I joined the Southington delegation in signing a letter strongly supporting federal funding for the Southington Water Department’s Wells 9 and 10 PFAS Treatment Project.
Signed delegation letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Joint%20Letter%20Of%20Support%20-%20Southington%20Water%20Department%20-%20April%202025.pdf
The project subsequently received $3 million in federal funding in 2026.
I am happy to give proper credit where it belongs. Congressman John Larson and Connecticut’s congressional delegation secured the federal appropriation. That does not erase the role of local officials and state legislators who supported the project and advocated for the Water Department.
News coverage:
https://patch.com/connecticut/southington/federal-funds-help-southington-clean-its-water
Congressman Larson project documentation:
https://larson.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/larson.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Southington%20Water%20Signed%20Financial%20Disclosure%20Federal%20Nexus.pdf
PLANTSVILLE FLOOD STUDY: $300,000
On April 15, 2024, I joined members of the Southington delegation in supporting the town’s request for federal funding to study recurring flooding in Plantsville.
The letter described repeated flooding affecting Main Street, Maple Street, Mark Drive, local businesses, residents, and critical infrastructure.
Signed delegation letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/CDS%20LOS%20Plantsville%20Flood%20Mapping%20Final.pdf
Southington subsequently received $300,000 in federal funding for an engineering study to evaluate the problem and identify long-term flood-mitigation solutions.
News coverage:
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/southington-secures-funding-advance-flood-prevention-efforts
THOSE THREE RECENT EXAMPLES ALONE TOTAL $5.3 MILLION
That $5.3 million figure is intentionally conservative.
It is not the total value of every Southington project I have supported during my years in office. It is simply the total of three recent confirmed awards for which the current file contains both documented legislative support and separate award evidence.
There are many additional examples.
SOUTHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT, WELLS 7A & 8
My work supporting Southington’s drinking-water infrastructure predates the Wells 9 and 10 PFAS project.
On March 6, 2023, I joined the local delegation in supporting a federal funding request for major improvements at Wells 7A and 8.
Signed delegation letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Letter%20For%20Southington%20Water%20Department%20Request.pdf
The project was intended to address elevated manganese levels and improve water quality and supply. Congressman Larson’s project materials identify a $3 million request for the Wells 7A and 8 manganese-mitigation project.
Federal project information:
https://larson.house.gov/about/community-funding-projects
I am not adding that $3 million request to the $5.3 million confirmed-award total because I am deliberately separating applications and advocacy from confirmed awards.
THE ARC OF SOUTHINGTON
In March 2025, after meeting with representatives of The Arc of Southington, I joined members of the delegation in writing directly to Governor Ned Lamont and legislative leaders about the organization’s funding and workforce concerns.
This was not the first time The Arc appeared in the local funding record. In 2018, The Arc of Southington received a $504,000 state grant for its Plantsville expansion. Contemporary coverage credited the town and local legislators, including me, for helping with the project.
Contemporary coverage:
https://www.mainstreetfoundation.org/sites/mainstreet.rpdesign.com/files/338766.pdf
SOUTHINGTON: HISTORICAL FUNDING DURING MY SERVICE
Among the Southington projects reflected in the historical record during my years of service are the following. My level of involvement varied from project to project. In some cases, it may have consisted of signing onto a delegation letter, supporting or approving an item for inclusion in a bond or grant package, or communicating support to the appropriate decision-makers. In other cases, I was more actively involved in advocating for or helping advance the request as part of the funding discussions for that legislative year.
I do not suggest that I was necessarily the lead advocate for every project listed below, nor would that be accurate. Major local projects are often collaborative efforts involving town officials, members of the legislative delegation, legislative leadership, state agencies, the Governor’s office, and, where applicable, the federal delegation. My purpose in including these items is to document the broader record of projects I supported or participated in during my service, not to claim sole credit for them.
The source below contains historical municipal-aid and project information for Southington and Wolcott:
Historical Southington/Wolcott municipal-aid and project record:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/2014%20Sgtn.Wolcott%20Municipal%20Aid.pdf
Among the Southington projects reflected in the historical record during my service are:
2011: $3,000,000 for environmental remediation at the former Ideal Forge property to prepare the site for redevelopment.
2011: $250,000 STEAP award for development of Triano Drive, including infrastructure for a new heavy industrial park.
2012: $250,000 STEAP award for roadway improvements on Aircraft Road, Newell Street, and Redstone Street.
2013: $500,000 for renovation and improvements to the Gura Building for use as a cultural arts center.
2014: $200,000 for a planning study for a new senior center.
2016: $5,000,000 toward construction of the new Calendar House Senior Center.
Official Office of Fiscal Analysis documentation for the 2016 senior-center planning grant:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa/Documents/year/SBC/2016SBC-20160129_Analysis%20of%20State%20Bond%20Commission%20Agenda%20Items%20for%20January%2029%2C%202016%20Meeting.pdf
Contemporary coverage of the later $5 million Calendar House grant:
https://ctconstructiondigest.blogspot.com/2016/09/ct-construction-digest-friday-septemebr.html
There are additional Southington projects in the historical record that are not itemized here because frankly, I was not aware that this issue would be highlighted so much this election cycle. I have not yet paired each and every one with a sufficiently clear record of my individual role. That is precisely why this page should be understood as a documented sample of a much larger record, not an attempt to manufacture a grand total.
WOLCOTT
WOLCOTT OPEN SPACE ACROSS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL: $350,000
In 2014, Wolcott received a $350,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant to purchase property across from Wolcott High School for preservation as open space.
The underlying town application:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Wolcott%20Open%20Space%20Application.pdf
Contemporary newspaper coverage:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/05-25-14%20RepAm%20Wolcott%20STEAP.pdf
The historical Southington/Wolcott funding record:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/2014%20Sgtn.Wolcott%20Municipal%20Aid.pdf
Official State of Connecticut award announcement:
https://portal.ct.gov/Malloy-Archive/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2014/05-2014/Gov-Malloy-Announces-Economic-Assistance-Grants-Awarded-to-Small-Towns-Throughout-Connecticut
WOLCOTT FOOD PANTRY / RESOURCE CENTER STEAP APPLICATION: $500,000 REQUEST
The town’s 2016 STEAP application sought $500,000 to renovate and expand the Wolcott Resource Center and food pantry at 358 Woodtick Road.
The proposal described a 4,500-square-foot addition, expanded food-storage capacity, community meeting space, health screenings, and other services.
Application:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/STEAP_food%20pantryApplication_FY_2016.docx
The document in the current archive establishes the request. I am not describing it as a confirmed award without separate award documentation.
WOLCOTT ATHLETIC FIELD DRAINAGE: $150,000 REQUEST
The historical file also contains Wolcott’s FY2014 STEAP application for $150,000 to regrade and install drainage at the sports field behind Frisbie School.
Application:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Wolcott%20Athletic%20Field%20Drainage%20App.pdf
Again, this is identified as an application in the archive, not as a confirmed award.
WOLCOTT AMERICAN LEGION BOND REQUEST
The current receipts folder contains a 2023 bond-request file relating to the Wolcott American Legion.
I am not assigning an award amount or claiming a completed award here without separate confirmation.
OTHER HISTORICAL WOLCOTT FUNDING
The historical record also shows projects including:
2011: $200,000 for roadway improvements on Town Line Road, Nutmeg Valley Road, and Tosun Road.
2014: $350,000 for the open-space acquisition across from Wolcott High School.
Older Wolcott records include additional senior-center, recreation, industrial-park, lake, and water-quality projects. Awards that predate my legislative service are not being presented as part of my record.
PROSPECT
MCGRATH PARK RECREATIONAL TRAILS APPLICATION
On December 16, 2025, I wrote directly to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in support of Prospect’s Recreational Trails Grant Program application for a new ADA-compliant non-motorized trail at McGrath Park.
Support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Prospect%20Rec%20Trails%20Support%20Letter%20-%202025.pdf
COACHLIGHT CIRCLE WATER MAIN PROJECT: $200,000
In May 2026, the State Bond Commission approved $200,000 for Prospect’s Coachlight Circle water-main project. I publicly supported the project as an appropriate investment in essential local infrastructure.
News release:
https://www.ctsenaterepublicans.com/2026/05/sen-sampson-applauds-approval-of-funding-for-prospect-water-main-project/
WATERBURY
MAD RIVER REDEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND ROUND 3
In May 2023, I joined the Waterbury delegation in supporting the City of Waterbury’s Community Investment Fund Round 3 application for the Mad River Redevelopment Corridor.
The letter addressed brownfield remediation, redevelopment, the Naugatuck River Greenway, the Brass City Regional Food Hub, and related economic-development work.
Signed delegation letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/WDC%20LOS%20State%20Representatives%20Round%203%20FINAL-Signed.pdf
EDA RECOMPETE PILOT, WATERBURY / HARTFORD
On October 2, 2023, I joined Waterbury and Hartford legislators in supporting a Recompete Pilot Phase 1 grant application submitted by the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board and Capital Workforce Partners to the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The application focused on workforce development, employment pathways, economic distress, and revitalization in high-need neighborhoods.
Support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/CGA%20JOINT%20Delegation%20-%20EDA%20Recompete%20LOS%20Template.pdf
ST. LUCY’S CHURCH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, CIF ROUND 4
On December 15, 2023, I joined the Waterbury delegation in supporting the city’s Community Investment Fund Round 4 application for redevelopment of St. Lucy’s Church into a community health center.
The proposal envisioned medical, dental, behavioral-health, laboratory, pharmacy, nonprofit, and social-service space in Waterbury’s North End.
Support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Letter%20of%20Support%20Waterbury%20Delegation-%20CIF%20Round%204%20%28Final%29.pdf
DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS
In June 2025, I joined the Waterbury delegation in supporting an additional $4 million Community Investment Fund request for Phase III of the Downtown Streetscape and Utility Improvement Project.
The letter notes that Waterbury had already received $4 million in CIF Round 6 funding for the project and was seeking the remaining $4 million of its earlier request.
Support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/2025%20WTBY%20CIF%20Round%207%20%28Signed%29.pdf
Official state announcement confirming the earlier $4 million Round 6 award:
https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2025/04-2025/governor-lamont-senate-president-looney-speaker-ritter-announce-cif-grants
I am not stating here that the later additional $4 million request was awarded because the current record does not establish that outcome.
REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDING WATERBURY
RVNAHEALTH NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP APPLICATION
On January 26, 2021, I wrote in support of RVNAhealth’s application to the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood to implement the Nurse-Family Partnership program in OEC Region 5.
The letter specifically discussed needs in Danbury, Torrington, and Waterbury.
Support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Sampson%20support%20letter%20for%20RVNAhealth.pdf
CHESHIRE
The current grants receipts folder does not yet contain a Cheshire-specific grant support letter comparable to the Southington, Waterbury, Prospect, and Wolcott records above.
That does not mean no such work occurred. It means I am not going to invent or overstate a record that is not yet documented in this archive.
As additional records are located, this page can be updated.
WHY I DO NOT ROUTINELY BRAG ABOUT GRANTS
Government grants are taxpayer money.
They are not gifts from politicians.
I will always advocate for legitimate local projects and make certain the towns I represent receive fair treatment. That is part of the job.
But I do not believe elected officials should present taxpayer-funded grants as if the money came out of their own pockets.
The better description is straightforward: local officials identify needs, legislators help communicate and advocate for those needs, agencies and funding bodies make the decisions, and taxpayers ultimately pay the bill.
I take the advocacy part of that job seriously. I also believe government should leave more money with taxpayers and local communities in the first place.
PUBLIC RECEIPTS ARCHIVE
For anyone who wants to review the underlying records, these are the files currently posted in the public grants archive:
Wolcott open-space newspaper coverage:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/05-25-14%20RepAm%20Wolcott%20STEAP.pdf
Historical Southington/Wolcott municipal-aid and project record:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/2014%20Sgtn.Wolcott%20Municipal%20Aid.pdf
Wolcott American Legion bond request:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/2023%20Bond%20Request%20Form%20-%20Wolcott%20American%20Legion.pdf
Waterbury Downtown Streetscape / Utilities CIF Round 7 support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/2025%20WTBY%20CIF%20Round%207%20%28Signed%29.pdf
Southington Plantsville Flood Mapping support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/CDS%20LOS%20Plantsville%20Flood%20Mapping%20Final.pdf
Waterbury / Hartford EDA Recompete support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/CGA%20JOINT%20Delegation%20-%20EDA%20Recompete%20LOS%20Template.pdf
Southington Wells 9 & 10 PFAS support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Joint%20Letter%20Of%20Support%20-%20Southington%20Water%20Department%20-%20April%202025.pdf
Southington Wells 7A & 8 Water Department support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Letter%20For%20Southington%20Water%20Department%20Request.pdf
Waterbury St. Lucy’s Community Health Center CIF Round 4 support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Letter%20of%20Support%20Waterbury%20Delegation-%20CIF%20Round%204%20%28Final%29.pdf
Southington The Arc advocacy letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Letter%20to%20Gov%20Lamont%20and%20Legislative%20Leaders%20-%20ARC%20Southington.pdf
Southington General Pulaski Housing CDBG support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/LOS%20TownOfSouthington05132024.pdf
Prospect McGrath Park Recreational Trails support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Prospect%20Rec%20Trails%20Support%20Letter%20-%202025.pdf
RVNAhealth Nurse-Family Partnership support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Sampson%20support%20letter%20for%20RVNAhealth.pdf
Wolcott Food Pantry / Resource Center STEAP application:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/STEAP_food%20pantryApplication_FY_2016.docx
Waterbury Mad River Redevelopment Corridor CIF Round 3 support letter:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/WDC%20LOS%20State%20Representatives%20Round%203%20FINAL-Signed.pdf
Wolcott Athletic Field Drainage STEAP application:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Wolcott%20Athletic%20Field%20Drainage%20App.pdf
Wolcott Open Space STEAP application:
https://sampsonforct.com/receipts/grants/Wolcott%20Open%20Space%20Application.pdf
THE BOTTOM LINE
The documentary record shows repeated involvement in local grant applications, funding requests, infrastructure projects, housing, water quality, human services, economic development, recreation, workforce development, and municipal improvement projects across the 16th District.
For Southington alone, three recent confirmed awards tied to requests I signed onto and supported total $5.3 million.
The larger districtwide record is substantially broader than those three projects, and the documents above show that the work extends across years and communities.
This remains a partial record, not because the work did not occur, but because I am only including items that can presently be supported with records I am comfortable publishing.
Repeating a claim does not make it true.
The receipts are here. Read them for yourself.
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