The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program recently granted the town of East Haddam a $15 million loan to convert a former middle school building into a municipal and public safety complex. The project follows in the wake of a change in state law which enables Connecticut towns to utilize 40-year financing terms.

“The Rural Development loan for both of our projects will enable our small town to rebuild our municipal complex in an unused middle school building opening up a great economic area for tourism across from the Goodspeed Opera House. The loan for our elementary school renovation is the first step in preserving the most important aspects of its roof, boiler and parking lot,” Mark B. Walter, first selectman of East Haddam, said in a statement.

“The recent change in Connecticut law to allow towns to take on 40 year loans from USDA will enable towns to utilize the program for more projects by reducing the yearly repayment cost significantly – a development that will benefit eastern Connecticut towns as they seek to improve their community facilities and infrastructure,” Rep. Joe Courtney said in a statement.