Industry and IBEW News

IBEW President Kenneth Cooper and IST Paul Noble address workplace safety and violence prevention following the tragic murder of welder Amber Czech. The article emphasizes creating harassment-free workplaces, confronting mental health challenges in construction, and building a culture of safety and respect that welcomes all workers.
Local organizations face a January 20 deadline to submit redevelopment proposals for two former New Haven school buildings vacant since 2021. The former West Rock STREAM Academy and Quinnipiac Real World STEM School closed during COVID-19 due to outdated HVAC systems. Nonprofits including Hope for New Haven and All Nations Christian Academy are preparing bids to repurpose the properties for daycare, educational, and community uses.
Santander Bank provided $88 million in construction financing for Benedict Court, a 120-unit multifamily property in Greenwich. The consortium led by Lonicera Partners, Nimbus Properties, and Benedict Capital will build the development at 7-23 Benedict Place with 72 market-rate and 48 affordable units, plus 170 underground parking spaces. Completion scheduled for August 2028.
Shelton-based ALKA Inc. seeks to amend an approved Planned Development District at 493 Bridgeport Avenue to build five one-bedroom townhouses. The site, near Walmart and Crown Point Center, was originally approved in 2016 for a gas station and convenience store but failed to generate retail interest. Each townhouse would include a garage with two parking spaces.
Connecticut's State Bond Commission approved over $31 million for Hartford economic development projects as part of a $3 billion bonding package. Funding includes $17.5 million through the Capital Region Development Authority for downtown parking garage repairs, Capitol Hotel renovation loans, and $6.5 million for North End affordable housing and daycare projects led by Mutual Housing Association and Citadel Community Development.