Sue VanDerzee

Standing with Gov. Jodi Rell as she announces a $540,000 grant to the town of Middlefield for infrastructure improvements at Powder Ridge are, from left, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce president Larry McHugh, State Rep. Matt Lesser, First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, Rell and Peter Simmons representing the DECD.

Over a year ago, Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw applied for a Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) state grant to allow the town to upgrade the electric service and septic capabilities of the then recently acquired Powder Ridge Ski Area property. The theory was that these upgrades would allow the town to market the property more successfully.

Yesterday Brayshaw found out that the grant, which he had pleaded with state officials to either approve or reject, would be funded.

Today, Governor Jodi Rell traveled to Powder Ridge to announce that Middlefield would receive $540,000 for infrastructure improvements. As she made the 10:30 a.m. announcement, she was flanked by Brayshaw, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce president Larry McHugh, State Representative Matt Lesser and Peter Simmons of the DECD.

The announcement was made, appropriately, under snowy skies, which Rell asked Brayshaw whether he had ordered. Brayshaw chuckled and said, “I ordered the snow, but I ordered it to stop at 10 o’clock. Nobody listens to me!”

Brayshaw expressed town appreciation for the grant, noting that it would make it easier to continue the 50-year legacy of Powder Ridge into the future. “The last three years (when the ski area has been closed) we’ve been missing jobs, we’ve been missing taxes, but most of all we’ve been missing the happy sound of children on the hill. Now we start a new chapter,” he said.

Joan McDonald, DECD commissioner, arrived late because of the snow, but told those gathered amidst the snowflakes that the money would not only help Powder Ridge but would spill over into the surrounding community, providing a boost to area restaurants, gas stations, stores and other attractions.

Rell added that the grant was all about jobs – 25 full time and 200 part time jobs at Powder Ridge itself and lots of other jobs on construction and reconstruction.

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