NPU provides two local organizations with $130,500 through Neighborhood Assistance Act

NORWICH – As part of the January meeting of its Board of Commissioners, Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) announced that it has contributed $130,500 to two local organizations through the State of Connecticut’s Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) program.

The NAA is a tax credit program administered by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services that allows businesses such as NPU to claim a State tax credit for cash contributions made to municipally-approved programs and projects conducted by local tax-exempt agencies.

“The State’s Neighborhood Assistance Act program is a great way for us to make important investments with organizations that are pillars in our community,” said Chris LaRose, General Manager of NPU. “Keeping these funds in Norwich is another way for NPU build on our longstanding tradition of support for community; we are very happy to continue our partnerships with these outstanding organizations.”

Through the NAA, the following organizations will receive funding from NPU in 2024:

St. Vincent DePaul Place ($75,000) to support the work of replacing 15 out-of-date, wood frame windows with energy-efficient windows as part of a multi-year effort to upgrade and improve the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems at the organization’s facility on Cliff Street in Norwich. St. Vincent DePaul Place operates out of a 99-year old former elementary school building, providing food and a variety of daily supplies to more than 500 at-risk people a month.

Norwich Historical Society ($55,500) to support the ongoing rehabilitation work at the circa 1763 David Greenleaf House, located at 2 Town Street, directly adjacent to the iconic Leffingwell Inn. This restoration project is part of a comprehensive plan to improve and connect existing heritage tourism sites in Norwich. Ultimately, the goal is to convert the Greenleaf House property into a multi-purpose event space to compliment the Leffingwell Inn.

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

Since 2022, NPU has been exempt from the Gross Receipts Tax on its purchase of natural gas, which saves customers more than $950,000 each year.