Event:

Groundbreaking press conference for Stamford Auxiliary Lanes, resurfacing, and safety improvements between Exits 6 and 7 on I-95. (CTDOT Project # 0135-0346)

Date and Time:

Friday, October 25; 10 a.m.

Location:

Exit 6 northbound on-ramp (Adjacent to 52 Baxter Avenue, Stamford CT – podium/guests staged in red rectangle)

Parking:

Available at Starbucks/PetSmart plaza (288 West Ave, Stamford, CT – yellow circle, approximately 300 feet from event location)

Trades Involved:

478 – Operators

146 – Laborers

424 – Ironworkers

191 – Teamsters

326 – Carpenters

Connecticut healthcare giants break ground on first proton cancer therapy center in state

Christian Metzger

WALLINGFORD — A revolutionary cancer treatment made its way to Connecticut Thursday with the start of construction of a facility that will provide proton therapy to patients through a rare collaboration between rivals Hartford HealthCare and Yale New Haven Health Systems.

The Connecticut Proton Therapy Center will be 25,000 square-foot facility off Interstate 91 operated by Proton International.

Located at 932 Northrop Road, the center is the first of its kind in Connecticut and one of only three in New England with others in New York and Boston. There are 45 operating centers in the U.S. and 93 worldwide.

Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses a high energy beam of protons to irradiate cancer. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, the beam of energy is more highly targeted to one specific area, allowing for higher doses of radiation with limited side effects, especially outside the targeted treatment area.

It makes it useful for treatment against solid tumors in the body’s critical areas that may be dangerous for other forms of treatment, like tumors of the brain and central nervous system, eye, gastrointestinal tract, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, spine, as well as some breast tumors, among others. It is also proven to be more effective for treating children, who are more vulnerable when it comes to traditional X-ray treatment.

The project serves as a critical joint collaboration between the two healthcare organizations, which are among the state’s largest, and have generally been in competition with one another in the past. 

The collaboration was a natural pooling of resources for what  couldn’t accomplish alone, and has been in the planning phase for around a decade, officials said.

“The opportunity to do this is important, because it would've been far more expensive and inefficient, and of lower quality had we done it individually, but collectively it will be world class from a research standpoint, teaching standpoint, access standpoint. So it's a wonderful example where really we are better together,” said Hartford Healthcare President Jeffrey Flaks. That pooling of resources into one center, he said, would give their staff access to the best equipment available. 

It was a sentiment shared by Yale Health President Christopher O’Connor. 

“With Hartford Healthcare's distribution and Yale New Haven's distribution, it really made sense to come together and put up a project that probably neither one of us would be able to justify alone. But yet the technology is so impactful that I think it's good to have here in the state and not make patients from this state travel to Boston or New York,” said O’Connor.

The central location in Wallingford, officials have said, is critical in allowing ease of access to everyone from across the state. Officials said that before it was prohibitive for many residents to seek treatment out of state, not only because of the travel expenses but with the uncertainty of being able to get treatment, given the wait to get into some facilities. They hoped that this facility would open the doors for those suffering with specific cancer diagnoses and allow them easier and cheaper care. 

They also added that tapping into advanced treatment options like proton therapy would also burnish the state’s reputation in the medical field. Recently Connecticut was ranked as second in the country for overall access to healthcare, according to Forbes, and third in overall quality by US News and World Report. 

The center costs $73 million to build and is anticipated to open sometime in December 2026. The groundbreaking was already delayed, as were most other projects in the medical industry, because of COVID with there still being lingering issues around staffing and overall cost that haven’t been finalized.

For patients, proton therapy can cost between $25,000 and $200,000, depending on the number of treatments and the patient's insurance plan.

Officials said Thursday that the center reflects how far the field of cancer treatment had come in the last two decades. Dr. Peter Yu, the physician-in-chief for Hartford Healthcare's Cancer Institute, said that since 2000 that the chances of surviving cancer treatment have increased from 50 percent to upwards of 75 percent and rising according to the National Cancer Institute. The Proton Therapy Center, he said, was another step toward increasing odds of survival

“To be able to deliver that today is equally exciting. There's no question that this is improving the health of all the people, the citizens, the patients who live in the state of Connecticut, and improving their health outcomes. But I think it's also remarkable because it's also improving the economic health of this state,” said Yu.

He added that by collaborating together on one concentrated facility would reduce the cost of treatment at the center. 

“Often technology comes with a very, very high price tag. And that price tag is paid by patients in terms of their copays and deductibles,” Yu added. “So driving the cost of healthcare is a significant crisis for us, and for healthcare to be able to be good stewards of our resources is an important and purposeful effort. And so when Yale and Hartford came together, they said, you know, we don't want to overbuild capacity. We don't want to overbuild and drive the cost up. We want to be very, very thoughtful - and that means coming together and working together for better health and economic outcomes.”

The new center would be a boon for Wallingford, which has proven attractive to businesses due to its low electric rates compared to the rest of the state due to their municipal power company - which was one of the reasons the officials cited made the town an attractive prospect outside of its central location. It already is host to several prominent medical care facilities like Gaylord Hospital and Masonicare. 

They couldn’t say how many jobs the new facility would generate yet, noting that it would be more firmly predicted closer to the opening date as the need for the facilities is evaluated. Still, many involved believe the facility is poised to be another major economic driver for the town. 

“I'm thrilled. It's a tremendous asset to the town, and it's a tremendous asset to cancer treatment in the state of Connecticut. People from all over the state will be coming here to take advantage of the therapy that this proton therapy center will offer,” said Mayor Vincent Cervoni, who described the town as a crossroads of manufacturing and technology. 

“This is one more contributing factor that really, because of our location, puts us on the world map and helps us help people stay healthy. So we are so grateful to have you here and everything that this treatment center represents for the Northeast Region and for healthcare throughout the state of Connecticut.”

Construction of new Windsor Locks senior center and police station underway

Jamila Young

WINDSOR LOCKS — Construction is underway at 491 and 519 Spring St. for the town's new senior center and police station, with both facilities expected to be open by next summer. 

Michael Rosadini, a member of the Commission on the Needs of the Aging, said he expects the senior center to open in next July with the police station expected to be open next August.

In January, the former first selectman Paul Harrington said that roughly $18 million will be used to build the 18,000-square-foot police station, and about $13 million will be used to build the senior center. The buildings will share a parking lot.

The money was allocated for the construction after a referendum was approved at the beginning of the year to allow for up to $780,000 in additional bonds for the new senior center, and just under $4 million in additional bonds to build the new police station. 

First Selectman Scott Storms said in January that the current police station at 4 Volunteer Drive is too small of a space, and that an upgrade is "absolutely needed."

He said that the new station will have a female locker room and "actual offices."

Rosadini said the current senior center at 41 Oak St. doesn't have a lot of parking space available and is on a small incline.

"It wasn't designed for any kind of town building or center like this," Rosadini said. "The current location lacked any kind of confidence in accessibility for seniors with difficulty getting around."

He said that the new location on Spring Street will be a lot easier for people in town to access, and with its proximity to the new police station, it will provide a "high component of safety."

"Where it's at now, they've had problems with catalytic converters being stolen off the buses," Rosadini said.

He said that the new senior center will be one floor and about 15,000 square feet, with a full fitness center and indoor and outdoor pickleball courts.

"It will be more modern; up to date. A much more efficient design," he said.

There will also be an aerobics room, given the "increased interest in aerobics."

"Tai chi, yoga, chair yoga," he said. "A large multipurpose room for meals, bingo, trivia-based games."

He also said that they hope to create a walking path outside and a space outside for shuffleboard and corn hole. 

Wallingford company Nel Hydrogen makes $30 million investment in manufacturing space

Luther Turmelle

A two-year, $30 million upgrade of a Wallingford company that makes equipment used to produce hydrogen has given the company a more productive and efficient manufacturing facility.

Nel Hydrogen celebrated the completion of the facility's upgrade Wednesday with an grand reopening event that included U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut. Nel Hydrogen's Chief Executive Officer Hakon Volldall said by increasing the level of automation used in making the company's electrolyzers, which are used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, the company can produce 10 times as many of the devices at a cost that is 30 percent less than before.

"The challenge for the hydrogen industry is reducing the costs," Volldall said. "Our motivation in doing this is to get to the point where we don't need government subsidies. But for today, we still need them."

The hydrogen that Nel's electrolyzers produce can be used to power machines and vehicles, as well as produce electricity.

Nel converted what used to be office space into an 8,100 square foot addition to the company's existing 51,800 square foot production floor, said Tushar Ghuwalewala, the vice president of operations for the company.

By more fully automating the electrolyzer manufacturing facility, Nel was able to secure a $4.9 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help reduce the cost of producing clean hydrogen.

Blumenthal said the presence of companies like Nel in Connecticut make the state a global hub for producing renewable energy.

"Clean hydrogen is a part of America's energy future," he said. "Hydrogen fuel cells create jobs and they reduce emissions."

The continued automation of the plant has enabled the company to add about two dozen employees over the past two years. The company employs 150 people at its facility on Technology Drive.

Paul Lavoie, the state's chief manufacturing officer, said more fully automating the facility "is the only way you are going to be able to compete on a global level."

"This isn't about eliminating people's jobs," Lavoie said. "It takes people and upskills them. It allows them to do more rewarding work."

Nel acquired the Technology Drive production facility in 2017 when it bought Proton OnSite for $70 million.

Nel's clients are primarily businesses in heavy industry, like steel manufacturers and glass makers, according to company officials.

Torrington seeks grant to develop state-of-the-art industrial facility

SLOAN BREWSTER

TORRINGTON – The city is seeking a $24 million grant to develop state-of-the-art facilities on the site of the former Torrington Company at 70 North St. and to expand Dymax at 318 Industrial Lane.

The City Council on Monday authorized Mayor Elinor C. Carbone to submit a proposal for a $24 million grant application to the state Department of Economic and Community Development’s Innovation Cluster Program.

The state will be offering $100 million in such grants over the next five years, Economic Development Director William Wallach said during a presentation. He described an innovation cluster as a campuslike setting that creates synergy and collaboration among businesses and organizations through public-private partnerships.

The idea is to innovate and drive industry growth in Connecticut with a focus on biotechnology, financial technology, insurance technology and advanced manufacturing. The goal in Torrington is to get advanced manufacturing “on the map.”

“The future is now,” Wallach said.

Advanced manufacturing refers to computerized machines and artificial intelligence, EdAdvance Executive Director Jonathan Costa said.

EdAdvance is part of Team Torrington that is working on the project, Wallach said, and it will connect high school students with potential careers in advanced tech. The team also includes Torrington Company site owner IRG Realty Advisors, Dymax, Fuel Cell Energy at 539 Technology Park Drive, CT State Northwestern and the Northwest Workforce Investment Board.

IRG will develop manufacturing facilities on North Street for businesses looking to start or expand operations, Wallach said.

Dymax, which already has a large footprint, is a community partner despite its off-site location because it is planning an expansion and looking to draw in more employees.

“It shouldn’t miss out,” Wallach said “This campus-style center at North Street incorporates all advance manufacturing in Torrington, not just at North Street.”

Fuel Cell Energy will build a fuel cell generator on the North Street site that will provide all power for the facilities, and may create a revenue source for the property owner and alternate energy for the city.

Ed Advance, CT State Northwestern and NWIB will connect people with potential careers.

The $54.1 million project includes a one-to-one match from the city, which is a requirement of the grant, Wallach said. It will be achieved through an investment by IRG, a loan from Connecticut Green Bank – facilitated through Fuel Cell Energy – and DECD tax rebates.

Carbone noted it was important the council know how the city would find the matching funds.

“It’s always important for the council to recognize what is the commitment,” she said. “As you heard William say, it’s a one-to-one match.”

IRG Operations Manager Glenn Carbone, the mayor’s brother, said the project is in the early stages with no conceptual drawings yet. He credited Wallach as the “ringleader” and for putting the idea together.

“It just makes sense to us to be in the center of economic development,” Carbone said.

The vision is for 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot buildings.

“It’s a massive scope,” he said. “There’s other partners involved.”

The Torrington Company demolition started in October 2023, with the bulk of it taking place over the spring and summer. A total of 26 buildings covering about 600,000 square feet were razed. The project was funded by a $2 million DECD Municipal Brownfield Remediation Grant. Since August, Manafort Brothers of Plainville has been cleaning up the site.