State Bond Commission approves $3.22 million for Sub base

Groton - The state Bond Commission approved $3.22 million for projects that will improve the military value of the Naval Submarine Base.

Of the total, $2.48 million will be used to build an addition to an existing building to house a new submarine bridge trainer.

Funding for the $4 million simulator, used to help train officers and sailors in submarine navigation, is included in the Navy's budget.

The rest of the money will be spent on converting a portion of a building into a full-size replica of a Virginia-class submarine galley to train culinary specialists.

Connecticut became the first state to fully fund a construction project on a base last year when Gov. M. Jodi Rell gave Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus $7.65 million to make improvements at the submarine base.

The legislature authorized $40 million for improvements to the base in 2007.