CT Labor News

Demolition has started at East Hartford's Port Eastside development, where developers plan to build 300 apartments as the first phase of a project that will ultimately create up to 1,000 apartments, restaurants, and entertainment venues across 28 acres of Connecticut River waterfront property.

Connecticut solar developers are racing to launch commercial projects before a July 4 federal deadline, with businesses scrambling to qualify for a 30% Investment Tax Credit set to expire under new federal rules. Projects must begin construction by July 4 or reach full operation by December under the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The Connecticut Siting Council voted 6-1 to formally reject United Illuminating's application to build transmission line monopoles up to 195 feet high through Fairfield and Bridgeport. The decision concludes the review process for the controversial project that faced strong opposition from residents, businesses, and local officials.

Dispatch Energy has energized a 4-megawatt fuel cell facility at Bunnell Block in Bridgeport, a former brownfield site, as part of Connecticut's Shared Clean Energy Facility program. The project will provide clean baseload power to an estimated 3,393 homes and reduce emissions by 50% in a densely populated area.

Over 30 New Haven residents gathered at Hillhouse High School to share ideas for revitalizing the long-vacant Goffe Street Armory. The city plans to allocate a $6.75 million state grant for repairs, with the west wing dedicated to vocational training and the east wing serving as housing.

Demolition work begins on Hartford's vacant data processing center near Dunkin' Park, making way for a $90 million AI center, boutique hotel, and parking garage. The $9.4 million demolition is expected to complete by June, clearing the site for RMS Cos. redevelopment that includes a proposed center for applied artificial intelligence with potential Google technology partnership.

A federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's halt of the Revolution Wind offshore project, allowing construction to resume on the nearly-complete wind farm. Gov. Lamont praised the ruling, stating the project will deliver diverse energy supply and lower utility costs for over 300,000 Connecticut homes while creating good-paying jobs.

Connecticut's 2026 gubernatorial race centers on electricity affordability as candidates navigate Trump administration policies shifting federal energy support away from renewables. Gov. Lamont pursues an "all-of-the-above" strategy including natural gas expansion, while facing criticism from both progressive Democrats favoring clean energy investments and Republicans seeking to eliminate public benefits charges on electric bills.

Dispatch Energy energized a 4-megawatt fuel cell power plant at Bridgeport's Bunnell Block, providing clean baseload electricity for approximately 3,400 homes. The project, developed with United Illuminating under Connecticut's Shared Clean Energy Facility program on a former brownfield site, aims to reduce emissions by 50 percent while strengthening grid reliability amid rising demand from data centers.

Avangrid activated the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line, delivering 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts with potential benefits for Connecticut ratepayers. The $1.6 billion project is expected to ease wholesale electricity prices across New England by reducing competition for power from regional generators, though the impact on individual bills may be modest according to industry experts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Woodbridge zoning commissioners voted 6-0 to amend town zoning rules prohibiting future projects similar to a 96-unit mixed-income apartment complex they approved just one month earlier. The reversal came after over 150 residents gathered to oppose the December 2025 approval of the four-story development at 804 Fountain Street on the Woodbridge-New Haven border, which would include only 12 affordable units.

Source:ctinsider.com

Source:hartfordbusiness.com

Source:newhavenindependent.org

Source:thehour.com

Source:patch.com