Greetings,
October 5th 2021 was a landmark day in the history of New Opportunities, Inc. On that day the agency dedicated the Patricia H. Mayfield Hydroponic facility at the CT Food 4 Thought, Inc. site located at 360 Technology Park Drive in Torrington. Patricia Mayfield is the former Department of Labor Commissioner and Board Chairperson for New Opportunities, Inc. who committed her life to community service and empowering people to dream and achieve their potential. A number of years ago the agency’s Board of Directors voted to honor Pat’s legacy by dedicating this building in her memory.
Attached are pictures of the sign, the building structures, and some of the dedication event festivities. Agency leadership was joined by State Representative Michelle Cook, State Representative Maria Horn, Mayor Elinor Carbone, and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes to celebrate this occasion. Two of Patricia Mayfield’s children and Grandson were also in attendance.
This CT Food 4 Thought, Inc. project concept had been a vision and dream of Dr. James Gatling for well over two decades. CT Food 4 Thought, Inc. is a food production facility focused on increasing the availability of locally grown produce, providing training and employment opportunities in an agricultural environment, and increasing the unrestricted revenue to support social service programming operated by New Opportunities, Inc. The first phase of this project is the development of three greenhouses and a processing plant/warehouse that will include the cultivation of lettuce, arugula, and kale. There will be 12 employees at the site during the first phase of operations and up to 25 participant/trainees who will be receiving occupational training skills in the areas of hydroponic growing as well as distribution and sales.
We will continue to keep all of you updated as we move towards the growing and implementation phase of the project.
William R. Rybczyk
President/CEO
New Opportunities, Inc.
203.575.4201 (p) wrybczyk@newoppinc.org