Stamford could get a chunk of $100M in CT funds for an AI institute

The funds come from Connecticut's Innovation Clusters Program, which was launched last year. The goal of the program is to “support growth in critical sectors of the Connecticut economy” through the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, according to a press release from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. 

Stamford, New Haven and Hartford are the three finalist cities that are vying to get a piece of the $100 million pie. 

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and Leah Kagan, director of economic development for the city, told The Stamford Advocate the Innovation Clusters Program could be a transformative opportunity for the city.

“It creates an opportunity to leverage a massive state investment, combined with private sector investment to really take our city to the next level,” Simmons said.

If funded by the grant, the city would partner with UConn to create the college’s “AI Innovation Institute” would include a “state-of-the-art supercomputing platform and a world-class faculty director” that will also support startups and provide workforce training, according to the state government’s news release. The project could “enhance the entire urban environment around it,” Kagan said. 

“The vision is really having a campus,” Kagan said. “It's multiple blocks and we're working closely with the Downtown Special Services District outside of this initiative to think about how we can enhance that campus environment for students and faculty.” 

UConn is in charge of fundraising for the AI institute, Lauren Meyer, special assistant to the mayor, said, and would be in charge of raising funds for the initiative if the state money doesn't come through. Money that comes from the Innovation Clusters program for infrastructure improvements would go to the city. 

The AI institute would be a part of around 800,000 square-feet of anticipated build-out that would include residential and commercial developments, all within a half-a-mile of the Stamford train station. 

“The goal of the AI institute is to spark all these startups,” Simmons said. “All of that could be housed in that space as well.” 

Some of those residential developments, Kagan said, may include more dorms for UConn’s Stamford campus, which she said has run out of space to house its students. Last year, some accepted students were put on a wait list for student housing and more than 100 were told they may not have access to campus dorms. 

Simmons and Kagan also said they want to use the funds to make downtown Stamford and the UConn campus more connected to the train station. Simmons said she wanted to create safer, more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to connect the three. 

Simmons called the train station “one of our top infrastructure priorities.” 

“It's the gateway to Connecticut,” Simmons said. “It's one of the busiest train stations and we want to not only enhance the commuter experience but also the experience for our residents who need to get in and out of that train station.”

The project will also need at least a dollar-for-dollar match of non-state funding. Simmons said she has seen interest from the private sector and Kagan said she’d look to federal grants to help make the match. 

Simmons said the project would make Stamford a technology hub and prepare the city for the “many jobs and opportunities” that will come from AI. It will also prepare people to work with AI or in technology fields, whether they’re looking for their first job or looking to gain new skills.

“There's the potential to create a tech corridor between our cities and really put Connecticut on the map as a tech hub for the country,” Simmons said. 

Stamford will know how much, if any, of the $100 million it will get in June.