The Department of Economic and Community Development is the state's lead agency responsible for strengthening Connecticut’s competitive position in the rapidly changing, knowledge-based global economy. The agency takes a comprehensive approach to economic development that incorporates community development, transportation, education, and arts and culture.
The grant program aims to support the preservation of historic and archeological resources through various types of reports and planning efforts. Funded activities include preparing national, state, and local historic designation reports, conducting municipal historic preservation planning, and carrying out pre-development studies on historic resources. These grants cater to Connecticut's 501(c)3 or 501(c)13 nonprofits or municipalities with an interest in preserving historic resources. Activities eligible for funding involve documenting the significance of historic structures, landscapes, and other cultural resources, assessing their condition for future use or conservation, and developing plans for their management, rehabilitation, or adaptation. The program emphasizes the importance of professional qualifications for consultants conducting these studies, with standards aligned with the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards. Grants range from $1,000 to $20,000, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.