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Other Resources:
1) To see our numbers broken down, please click here.
2) To read the February 2008 Report of the Responsible Growth Task Force to Governor M. Jodi Rell, click here.
3) To read a copy of Governor Jodi Rell's Executive Order #15, in which she outlines her initiatives to support responsible growth, click here.
4) To view the document at left as a downloadable PDF file, click here.
5) To sign up for our email alerts, please fill out the form below:
| Sign up for Email Updates |
What Is It?
The Face of Connecticut Fund would embody the State’s commitment to invest over the next ten years in preserving Connecticut’s distinctive landscapes, historic villages and urban centers by receiving and disbursing funds in support of responsible growth and the safeguarding of our natural and manmade landscapes and historic assets. The Face of Connecticut Fund will operate according to specific directives to preserve our state’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
Why Do We Need It?
- The Face of Connecticut Fund would streamline bond requests from three or more agencies to one annual request that would fully fund existing state programs as well as funding selected new programs designed to address current gaps in existing programs.
- The Face of Connecticut Fund would serve as a quick response mechanism to address the urgent needs of protection and preservation of our state’s rich heritage and unique quality of life.
- The Face of Connecticut Fund will give funding priority to projects that conform to the responsible growth principles in the Governor’s Executive Order #15.
- Fully funding The Face of Connecticut will increase the total pool of funds available for investment in Connecticut’s heritage.
- The Face of Connecticut Fund would be able leverage state funds by also accepting non-state funds for its programs.
How Will It Function?
The Face of Connecticut Fund will receive $100 million lump sum annually for the next 10 years. Approximately half of the $100 million is EXISTING funding that has been provided in recent state budgets to programs and projects critical to the Face of Connecticut campaign, while the other half is for NEW funding to enable those existing programs to meet community needs better and to fund critical new programs.
- The Fund will appear before the Bond Commission one time per year for its funds.
- The Fund can also accept donations from federal, corporate and individual donors.
- The Fund will offer loans that will help to grow its own reserves.
- The Fund will act as a rapid response entity to address urgent needs.
How Will Face of Connecticut Funds Be Used?
I. EXISTING STATE AGENCY GRANT PROGRAMS – a minimum of 65% or $65 million will be used to fully fund the following programs, which either receive bonding or else are funded through earmarks:
Department of Environmental Protection – $25 million
- Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Matching Grants Program
- Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Fund
Department of Agriculture – $20 million
- Farmland Preservation Program
- Joint Town-State Farmland Preservation Program
Commission on Culture and Tourism, Historic Preservation Division, & the CT Trust for Historic Preservation – $20 million
- Historic Preservation Planning Fund
- Historic Landscapes Fund
II. NEW FACE OF CONNECTICUT PROGRAMS – a minimum of 35% or approximately $35 million will fund a set of new programs designed to address gaps in existing state programs and meet the goals of the Fund through grants and loans to agencies, qualified non-profits and/or municipalities. The new programs, which will be administered by a 12 member Steering Committee consisting of Agency Heads and appointees of the Governor and leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly, will consist of the following:
Historic Villages and Urban Centers
- Municipal Planning Grants – Grants to municipalities to pay for expert assistance with land use and historic preservation planning, including help with updating Town Plans of Conservation and Development (TCPDs) and revising land use and historic preservation regulations to meet the objectives of Responsible Growth and TPCDs.
- Urban Parks Grant Program – Fund projects to create, renovate, and enhance urban parks.
- Livable Communities Grant Program – Grants for local initiatives that create links between land conservation, affordable housing and/or historic preservation.
Distinctive Landscapes
- Greenways and Active Recreation Fund – support the development of greenways and public recreational facilities.
- Locally Significant Farms Fund – Provide funds for the purchase of development rights or fee acquisition of small, locally important working farms that contribute to education, food security and/or economic development within their communities and/or the region; and for a forgivable loan program for beginner farmers for land acquisition and infrastructure investments in return for operating and stewarding a locally important working farm.
Projects of High Importance
- Rapid Response Funds - Distributions to existing agency programs based on demonstrated need.
- Low interest loan program - Provide low interest loans to municipalities and non-profits to assist in purchase of endangered open space, farmland and historic buildings, including restrictive covenants.
