Nonprofits seek grants for Groton projects under tax credit program

TVCCA is one of five locally eyeing funding

Groton — Thames Valley Council for Community Action is proposing to build a new 22,000-square-foot childcare facility in Groton, and is seeking funding for energy conservation measures, among other grants.

TVCCA is one of five local organizations seeking funds for projects in Groton under the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit program. The town will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. June 6 at the Town Hall Annex on the proposals.

TVCCA’s proposed center would be built on the site of its existing facilities at 36 and 38 Central Ave. and would provide 11 classrooms for children, as well as activity rooms, a large kitchen for hot lunches, and office and meeting spaces, said Deborah Monahan, chief executive officer of TVCCA. The proposed plan is expected to be submitted to Planning and Zoning soon for approval.

“We are very excited about the possibility of a new child care center in Groton,” said Monahan. “The Town of Groton has been incredibly supportive of our initiative.”

Monahan said TVCCA has secured $3 million in federal funding for the project through the office of U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and TVCCA is continuing to seek additional funding including $150,000 in tax credits through the program.

Courtney was slated to visit TVCCA in Groton on Friday morning to receive an update on the project and speak about the importance of funding childcare, according to a news advisory.

State Neighborhood Assistance Act

The Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act, a state tax credit program, enables businesses to donate to municipal or tax-exempt organizations and in return receive state tax credits of 100% for energy conservation projects and 60% for programs that help with services, such as neighborhood help, jobs, education, and low-to-moderate income

housing, according to a town document.

A municipality holds a public hearing on the applications from the organizations and votes to approve which applications to send to the state. The state then makes decisions on the applications and publishes a report of approved proposals, including the amount of tax credits available for each project, according to Marchell Magxaka, community development planner for the town.

Businesses can then apply for a tax credit in return for sponsoring a program, according to the state program’s website.

Energy efficiency

Community of Hope, which runs a supportive residential facility for women at risk, is applying for $112,000 for energy efficient upgrades at a detached building on site, said Julie Savin, president & CEO of Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities, Inc., a nonprofit which is providing grant-writing assistance to Community of Hope. The building will provide a needed meeting space for the residents and office space for the people who run the program, who are largely volunteers, she said.

“The proposed energy conservation measures will reduce energy costs, allowing more of the organization’s budget to be directed towards services to its clients,” according to an application.

Malta, Inc., a volunteer-based outreach organization, whose mission “is to help people retain or regain a sense of dignity and hope, while helping them navigate difficult circumstances,” is seeking $13,600 for a program to prevent and break the cycle of chronic homelessness, according to the application.

Malta said the program is needed because of “gaps in area services that are crucial to people’s success in immediate needs or going forward in all areas of life including communication, safety and employment,” according to the application.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mystic, which last year installed solar panels on the roof of its education wing, is applying for $150,000 to continue its green project and move away from fossil fuels, said the Rev. Adam Thomas, rector at St. Mark’s. The application is for a project to convert its heating system to electric.

“We want to be an example for green energy here in southeastern Connecticut,” said Thomas. He added that the church provides a space for community groups to meet in Mystic, where there is a dearth of such space.

Sacred Heart School is seeking $126,500 for a project to replace sections of a leaking roof with “energy efficient roofing materials,” according to the application.

Gail Kingston, principal of Sacred Heart School, said through the program, the school previously has been able to install energy-efficient air conditioning and heating, an energy-efficient boiler, and energy-efficient lighting.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Kingston said. “It’s a win-win for businesses and nonprofits.”