Growing the Lower Valley

Kara has lead with smart legislation receiving strong bipartisan support in her efforts to create meaningful economic revitalization for the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Kara has delivered for Ansonia and Derby:
  • Secured $4,240,000 to clean up, tear down and redevelop of buildings in the Ansonia Brass/Farrel/SHW Complex
  • Helped create the Community Investment Fund, which recently voted to recommend funding of $6.5million for the continued redevelopment of the Ansonia Brass site
  • Increased train service on the Waterbury Rail Line—a $1.2m annual investment
  • Helped secure tens of millions in state and federal funding for modernization of BOTH the Derby and Ansonia train stations
  • Opened a free advanced manufacturing training program for adults right here in the 104th
  • Delivered hundreds of thousands in economic relief for local small businesses
  • Sped up and expanded opportunities to participate in the state’s brownfield remediation program, making it easier for developers to take on properties like Ansonia Brass
  • Created the JobsCT program to expand jobs in targeted industries, with twice the credit for creating jobs in communities like Ansonia & Derby
  • Cut unemployment insurance taxes for small businesses
  • Extended the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Tax Credit to support small manufacturers
Kara is endorsed by the CT AFL-CIO, Building Trades, CT Realtors, IBEW, and Carpenters Union. And received the 2021 ManufactureCT Legislative Award.
In her first term, Kara worked to revamp both the Transfer Act and the Liquor Control Act to support local businesses. Kara wrote, introduced, and passionately advocated for legislation expanding college level Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Programs into more high schools across the state. The bill provides opportunities for high school students and adults to access the technical job training needed to compete for the 12,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs currently open in our state. Kara’s bill passed with unanimous bipartisan support.
Kara puts a priority on economic development and will work across party lines to see that our community sees growth and progress.