By D.M.Livingston|The Waterbury Times|Published Feb 19, 2026

Waterbury- Congresswoman Jahana Hayes has announced over $10.25 million in Community Project Funding for Connecticut’s Fifth District. The projects stretch “from Norfolk to New Britain,” bringing firehouses, park upgrades, public safety investments, and education initiatives to towns across the district.

And Waterbury?

We received $175,000.

Yes — that comes out to about 1.7% of the total funding package.

Thank you. We think?

Let’s take a closer look at how the funding breaks down across the district.

What Did Rep. Jahana Hayes Actually Secure — and What Was Automatic?

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Where the Money Went (By Percentage)

Here’s how each town or project stacks up out of the $10,257,000 total:

• Torrington – $2,000,000 → 19.5%
• Avon – $1,700,000 → 16.6%
• Southbury – $1,500,000 → 14.6%
• Statewide (QuantumCT Connect) – $1,031,000 → 10.1%
• Sandy Hook – $951,000 → 9.3%
• New Britain – $850,000 → 8.3%
• Thomaston – $850,000 → 8.3%
• Danbury – $700,000 → 6.8%
• Norfolk – $500,000 → 4.9%
• Waterbury – $175,000 → 1.7%

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The Capital of the Fifth District… at 1.7%

Waterbury is the largest city in the Fifth Congressional District.

It is the economic engine, the population center, and the place where the greatest concentration of need exists — from youth programming to public safety to infrastructure.

Yet when it comes to federal Community Project Funding?

Waterbury ranked last.

Not second to last.

Last.

Behind towns with a fraction of the population, tax base, and regional impact.

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What Waterbury Got

Waterbury’s entire share — $175,000 — is going to the Police Activity League (PAL) to support youth programming.

That’s a good program. It does important work.

But in a city of over 110,000 residents facing major challenges in:

• infrastructure
• blight
• public safety
• youth engagement
• economic development

$175,000 is not a serious federal investment.

It’s a gesture.

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The Bigger Question

Congresswoman Hayes stated:

“My office worked diligently to ensure these projects were prioritized and our district was not overlooked.”

That may be true.

But from a Waterbury perspective, the question remains:

Who exactly was prioritized?

Because the numbers show that Waterbury — the largest city in the district — received just 1.7% of the funding.

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The Bottom Line

Waterbury residents should absolutely appreciate any investment in the city.

But appreciation should not replace accountability.

When over $10 million in federal dollars comes into the Fifth District — and Waterbury receives less than two cents on the dollar — it raises a simple and fair question:

Is Waterbury being represented at the level it deserves?

For now, the numbers speak for themselves.

1.7%.

Waterbury CT Local News