CT Labor News

A rally is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport to protest United Illuminating's proposed monopole project. The controversial plan calls for installation of 195-foot tall monopoles carrying power lines through Bridgeport and Fairfield, potentially taking one-third of the church's property. The grassroots group Empowering Fairfield is calling on UI to come to the table with solutions acceptable to affected communities and businesses. Source: patch.com

The Connecticut Siting Council's consideration of United Illuminating's monopole project has sparked over two years of bipartisan opposition from lawmakers and Fairfield County residents. After a Superior Court judge ruled in April that the council wrongly approved the project without community input, the council voted again in September via straw poll to support the same plan. Governor Ned Lamont intervened asking for a delay, stating he wouldn't "let UI rush into a bad decision." The 195-foot monopoles would require utility easements from homes, businesses, and historical sites including the Pequot Library and Shiloh Baptist Church. Source: wshu.org

Mayor Roberto Alves and city officials announce over $100 million in public and private investments reshaping downtown Danbury. Projects include the $24.5 million Ives Bank development bringing 100 professionals to Main Street, Catholic Charities' 20 workforce housing units at 68 Main Street, and 79 senior units on Boughton Street by Connecticut Institute for Communities. The city is also advancing a $9 million state-funded Streetscape Renaissance Project adding fiber optics, underground utilities, and pedestrian-friendly enhancements. New businesses including Blend and Brew coffee bar and Escapology escape rooms have opened downtown. Source: patch.com

New Haven won approval from the Community Investment Fund 2030 board for $6.75 million to help convert the vacant 155,000 square foot Goffe Street Armory into a new vocational-technical school. The State Bond Commission must still approve the funds before they become final. Mayor Justin Elicker says the grant, years in the making, will fund rehabilitation work including exterior brownstone stabilization, roof repair, asbestos removal, ADA compliance upgrades, and reactivation of the historic drill hall. The project also includes plans for new housing units and other community uses. Source: newhavenindependent.org

The Elicker administration plans to sell George Street parking lots to a public-private partnership between Glendower Group and NYC-based developer LMXD for construction of 171 new apartments in New Haven's Ninth Square. The seven-story, 156,000-square-foot building will include 51 affordable units with income limits ranging from 30 to 80 percent of area median income, ground-floor retail space, and rooftop solar panels powering amenities including a fitness center and co-working area. The developers aim to secure financing by Q2 2026 with full completion projected for 2029. Source: newhavenindependent.org

United Illuminating is preparing for six months of new remediation work addressing PCBs, petroleum hydrocarbons, and arsenic-contaminated soil at the old English Station site at 510 Grand Ave. Mayor Justin Elicker continues defending his controversial proposal to convert the contaminated 8.6-acre former coal and oil-fired power plant into a public park and outdoor pool. At Tuesday's mayoral debate, Elicker argued the capped site would be safe and provide swimming opportunities for young people, while Republican challenger Steve Orosco called for the site to become a "revenue-generating machine" with manufacturing jobs. Source: newhavenindependent.org

Governor Ned Lamont announced a $50.5 million state investment in downtown New Haven's Innovation District to boost the life sciences industry and position the city as a national hub for quantum technologies. The investment includes $32 million in public infrastructure improvements and $17.2 million for a third lab-office building at 101 College Street to be built atop the never-completed Route 34 connector. The funding also supports a $1.3 million New Haven Innovation Center and infrastructure to facilitate development of the former Coliseum site, creating substantial construction opportunities and cementing New Haven's reputation in cutting-edge research and innovation. Source: newhavenindependent.org

New Haven is preparing to issue Requests for Proposals for two former school buildings transferred from New Haven Public Schools to city ownership, including the former West Rock STREAM Academy and a Fair Haven Heights property at 311 Valley Street. Mayor Justin Elicker expressed optimism about receiving responses that will satisfy community needs while the school district expects to save approximately $74,000 annually in utility and maintenance costs. The RFPs represent redevelopment opportunities that could transform vacant educational facilities into community assets through adaptive reuse projects. Source: newhavenindependent.org

The Hartford Land Bank is embarking on a new phase by undertaking new construction projects rather than exclusively focusing on rehabilitation of existing properties. This strategic expansion represents a significant shift in the land bank's approach to addressing Hartford's housing and development needs, creating additional opportunities for construction contractors and building trades. The new construction initiative demonstrates the land bank's evolving role in urban redevelopment and its commitment to comprehensive neighborhood revitalization through diverse development strategies. Source: ctnewsjunkie.com

East Hartford is actively pursuing brownfield remediation and redevelopment projects to transform contaminated or underutilized industrial sites into productive properties for new construction and economic development. The brownfield program addresses environmental contamination while creating opportunities for commercial, residential, and mixed-use development on previously unusable parcels. These remediation efforts represent significant infrastructure investment and construction opportunities as the town works to revitalize former industrial properties and expand its tax base through sustainable redevelopment. Source: easthartfordct.gov

Dominion Energy is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Millstone Nuclear Power Station's Unit 2 while looking ahead to the facility's continued operation and potential future investments. The milestone highlights five decades of reliable baseload power generation for Connecticut while the company considers infrastructure upgrades and life-extension projects that could require substantial construction and maintenance work. The anniversary underscores the ongoing importance of nuclear power in Connecticut's energy portfolio and represents continued employment opportunities for construction trades and specialized technical workers at the Waterford facility. Source: hartfordbusiness.com

A retired power plant in Bridgeport was demolished through controlled implosion, clearing the site for potential future development and redevelopment opportunities. The demolition of the obsolete energy facility represents a significant infrastructure change in Bridgeport and opens up valuable waterfront or industrial property for new construction projects. The site clearance could attract developers interested in residential, commercial, or mixed-use projects, creating construction opportunities and contributing to Bridgeport's ongoing efforts to revitalize its industrial areas and waterfront properties. Source: onlyinbridgeport.com

Governor Ned Lamont announced he is working "very closely" with the Trump administration on several aspects of energy policy following a federal judge's ruling that allowed the Revolution Wind project to resume construction. The $6 billion offshore wind project, which is 80% complete with over 1,200 workers involved, was halted by federal order in August but can now continue. Lamont indicated that ongoing talks with federal officials could ease the path forward for both renewable and fossil fuel energy projects in Connecticut and the broader New England region. Source: hartfordbusiness.com

Analysis examining the limitations of the Revolution Wind offshore project as a solution to Connecticut's energy challenges, despite its resumption of construction. While the 65-turbine, 700-megawatt project will provide significant clean energy to Connecticut and Rhode Island homes, experts caution that it represents just one piece of the state's broader energy transition puzzle. The piece explores the need for comprehensive energy infrastructure development beyond offshore wind to meet long-term renewable energy goals and grid reliability requirements. Source: ctmirror.org

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has appointed two seasoned administrators to lead the city's economic development and housing departments, filling critical positions that will oversee construction projects, development initiatives, and housing programs. The appointments are part of Arulampalam's broader effort to streamline city operations and make Hartford more business-friendly while addressing the city's housing shortage. The new leadership will oversee key development projects, building permits, and housing programs including downtown residential development and homeownership initiatives. Source: hartfordbusiness.com

The Norwich school committee has approved final plans for the Moriarty Elementary School construction project bidding process, moving the significant educational facility project closer to contractor selection. The approval represents a major milestone for the school construction project, which will provide updated educational facilities for the community. The bidding process will now open to qualified contractors for what represents a substantial construction opportunity in New London County's educational infrastructure development. Source: citizenportal.ai

The City of Bridgeport is implementing new measures to streamline its building permitting and inspection processes, aimed at reducing delays and improving service for contractors and developers. The improvements include updated procedures, enhanced staff training, and technology upgrades designed to expedite construction project approvals. The changes are expected to benefit the building and construction industry by reducing project timelines and improving communication between city officials and construction professionals working on residential and commercial projects throughout Bridgeport. Source: patch.com

A final decision on monopole construction in Fairfield County has been postponed for one month, delaying infrastructure improvements that would enhance utility reliability and service in the region. The monopole project represents significant utility infrastructure investment that would create construction opportunities for specialized contractors and improve electrical service reliability. The delay allows for additional review and public input on the utility infrastructure project before final approval and construction can proceed. Source: wshu.org

Connecticut is embracing underground infrastructure improvements that represent one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of modern construction and development projects. The focus on below-ground infrastructure addresses aging water, sewer, and utility systems that form the foundation of reliable community development and building projects. These infrastructure investments create substantial opportunities for specialized contractors and represent essential groundwork for sustainable construction and development throughout the state. Source: inc.com

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a stop work order on August 22, 2025, halting construction of the Revolution Wind project, which was 80% complete with all offshore foundations installed and 45 of 65 wind turbines in place. The $4 billion offshore wind farm was designed to power over 350,000 homes and was slated for completion by end of 2026. Connecticut and Rhode Island have filed lawsuits to overturn the order, citing national security concerns without identified legal violations.