Stamford in Line for $9M in Congressional ‘Earmark’ Spending for New Library Branch, LED Streetlights

STAMFORD — The city is seeking $9 million in funding through congressional earmarks for projects that include installing thousands of LED streetlights in Stamford and building a Ferguson Library branch location on the East Side.

Mayor Caroline Simmons told the Board of Representatives about the effort to direct federal money toward five specific projects during a “State of the City” presentation last week.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, whose district includes Stamford, and U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, have requested the earmarks for the city as part of the annual federal appropriations process.

In addition to their asks for the city, Himes and the two senators requested millions of dollars in funding for nonprofit projects tied to Stamford.

For instance, Murphy and Blumenthal asked for $2 million for the Stamford-based Women’s Business Development Council to open new offices across Connecticut. Himes separately requested $500,000 for the Women’s Business Development Council, saying in a letter that the nonprofit would use the money to expand its grant programs.

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