The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is accepting applications for a new round of grant funding totaling $7.5 million to help remediate and redevelop brownfield sites throughout the state.

"With the right investment, state and local governments can work together to restore blighted properties that can bolster our economy and add to our quality of life," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement. "When we clean up these sites and repurpose them, we can turn what was once an eyesore into a community asset that can help revitalize a neighborhood and spark economic growth."

A total of $6.5 million will be earmarked for remediation projects and $1 million will be earmarked for assessment projects.

The funding will be made available under the Connecticut Brownfield Remediation Program. Eligible applicants include municipalities and economic development agencies. Grant applicants can request funding of up to $2 million for remediation projects and up to $200,000 for assessment projects. Awards may be used for a range of brownfield assessment, remediation and redevelopment activities, including abatement, demolition, site investigation and assessment and professional services fees associated with redevelopment.

Applications must be submitted via email to brownfields@ct.gov by April 14. Responses will be announced by March 30. More information as well as the program application can be found here.