Several Greater Danbury area groups are receiving state bond money.  The Bond Commission met yesterday and approved $2 million to help Naugatuck Valley Community College outfit their expanded building in Danbury, which is set to open in the fall.  $189,000 was also approved for Danbury-based Midwestern Connecticut Council of Alcoholism. 

$5 million in state bond money was also approved to finance various alterations and improvements to buildings on the Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Connecticut State University campuses.  Alterations and improvements include restoration of academic facilities, upgrading safety systems and other ground improvements.

Grants in aid have been approved by the state Bond Commission for non-profits sponsoring cultural and historic sites.  A pool of about $2 million is being shared by several organizations across the state for capital investments to transform the visitor experience.  Bethel Historical Society is receiving little more than $69,000 to install an elevator at the 1842 Second Meeting House.  Gunn Memorial Museum in the Town of Washington is receiving $100,000 to renovate the second floor into an exhibit space.  The program requires a 25-percent cash match by the recipient.

State bond money was approved for the design, engineering and construction of a new rail yard on the Metro North Danbury Branch line.  The rail yard will be in Norwalk.  $17.5 million was approved to make upgrades and to modernize the Danbury branch line where it connects with the main New Haven Line.  The project will also provide additional electrified trackage for the New Haven Line.