During the January 25, 2022 meeting of its Board of Commissioners, Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) announced that it has contributed $148,848 to three local organizations through the State of Connecticut’s Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) program.

The NAA is a tax credit program administered by the Department of Revenue Services and is designed to provide funding for municipal and tax-exempt organizations through a tax credit for businesses that make cash contributions to organizations and projects approved by the State.

“Once again, NPU is an enthusiastic participant in the Neighborhood Assistance Act, which allows us to support three great community partners with important projects,” said Chris LaRose, General Manager of NPU. “Through the NAA, our resources stay here in Norwich and make an immediate impact in our community.”

Through the NAA, the following organizations will receive funding from NPU in 2022:

• Otis Library ($40,848) to support the second phase of a project to upgrade the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system in a significant portion of the library. This project will improve air quality and airflow in a well-used community space throughout the course of the year.
• Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities (ECHO) ($54,000) to assist with the replacement of 80 older, inefficient windows at the Elizabeth Street Apartments, a 29-unit development that meets the needs of a number of low-income, at-risk individuals and families.
• United Community and Family Services (UCFS) ($54,000) to support the second phase of a comprehensive efficiency upgrade including 20 new windows at the historic Samuel Huntington Home which houses many of the administrative functions of UCFS.

Each year, NPU pays Gross Revenues Tax to the State of Connecticut from the purchase of natural gas and electricity. The NAA limits participating organizations to $150,000 per year in tax credits and the statewide program has a cap of $5 million.