Update: $500,000 Grant for Powder Ridge Still Not Certain

Update: Earlier this month Patch reported that the State Bond Commission had approved a $500,000 grant to pay for improvements at Powder Ridge.

Correction: The board voted 5-3 in favor of the grant, which needs six votes to pass. Finance Director Joe Geruch said the Bond Commission will vote again on the grant Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Original story posted Dec. 2

Middlefield will receive $500,000 from the state to help make Powder Ridge ski area more attractive to potential buyers, state Rep. Matt Lesser announced today.

"I am pleased to have finally secured this funding—now the town is able to make the needed improvements to attract another developer," Lesser said in a statement. "I appreciate Governor Rell's support for this project."

 The money would pay for upgrades to utilities and the septic system at the facility.

The funding is the latest in the town's efforts to return the defunct ski resort to profitability. Powder Ridge Ski Resort closed in 2005 and the 246-acre property was later purchased by the town in 2009 for $2.25 million. A town official recently said a decision on a possible deal with an investor was expected soon.

The State Bond Commission is expected to approve the funding when it meets Friday, Dec. 10 in Hartford, Lesser said.

"It's anticipated that 25 full-time jobs and as many as 200 seasonal jobs will be created if Powder Ridge is up and running again. This has been two years in the making—I am proud to have been able to deliver these critical funds for our district," he added.