Council endorses $500,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Act projects for local nonprofits

Stacy Smith, executive director of Hope Incorporated, told the finance committee the nonprofit is renovating 377 Broad Street into six affordable apartments under its Renard program and asked the city to recommend the project for Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) tax-credit support.

The committee heard four other applicants who described project-specific needs. Steve Seagull, executive director of the Guard Art Center, asked that the center’s energy-conservation project for Mercer Community Hall remain eligible for corporate tax-credit support; Margaret Susloff of Safe Futures requested funds to replace aging stoves and to buy commercial laundry and kitchen equipment at transitional and emergency shelters; Tony Sheridan of the Chamber of Commerce outlined repairs and lighting upgrades at a publicly partnered building; and Hope Incorporated requested funds to convert a former office building to affordable housing.

Deputy finance director Donna Reinhardt explained the city’s limited role: municipal staff hold a public hearing and forward approved local applications to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Funding decisions — and any redirection of corporate state tax liability that generates the awards — are made by corporations that choose to participate and by state approval, not by the city. Reinhardt emphasized there is no guarantee any approved project will receive funding and that the city does not control award amounts.

Committee members asked about program limits and outreach. Officials said there is not a town cap that divides funds; more applications can bring more corporate investment. Staff described outreach plans — legal ads, direct emails to nonprofits and a proposed dedicated page on the city’s community development site — to expand awareness of the program.

The council adopted the finance committee’s recommendations by roll call, forwarding all five projects for the state process: Guard Art Center (energy improvements), Covenant Shelter (housing navigation/stabilization), Safe Futures (energy-efficient appliances and laundry/stove equipment), Hope Incorporated (377 Broad Street renovation), and the Chamber-backed energy/conservation work for a regional innovation center.