In Naugatuck, Connecticut, a series of major infrastructure upgrades have transformed parts of the city into extended construction zones—especially along Church Street, where local businesses are struggling to stay afloat amid road closures, dust, and disruption.

Currently, six active public works projects are underway throughout the city, part of a comprehensive effort to modernize vital infrastructure. The ongoing work includes overhauling outdated wastewater and storm water systems, upgrading sidewalks, relocating electric lines, and more. While the improvements are crucial, businesses located in the thick of the construction zone have experienced significant drops in customer traffic.

“Now we are really at rock bottom so to speak, no pun intended,” said Stephanie Fusco, who owns Teri’s Flower Shop. She glanced out her window at the bare, unpaved roadbed outside, now reduced to dirt.

Construction on Church Street has been happening in waves for about two years. Fusco, whose shop depends in part on foot traffic, has been forced to adapt. “We are the luckier business of the businesses on the street, people can phone in or place an order on our website,” she said.

Despite the challenges, she keeps showing up. “We do it with we swallow, and we breathe, and we just do it, we have to, we come here every day,” Fusco added.

Other nearby businesses share a similar sentiment.

“It has had its challenges,” said Kojo Asante-Sakyi of Tazza’s Smoothie and Health Juice, which opened just as the construction ramped up. “It’s been harder for customers to get to us, sometimes you have a whole lot of machines out there,” he said.

Although difficult, Asante-Sakyi sees the upside of the city’s investment and is hopeful it will result in a more walkable and welcoming downtown.

“They are doing the best they can with what they have,” said Bobbie Malatesta of 3-21 No Kiddin, a sober social club and functional drink shop. Malatesta estimates that once the construction reached her storefront, her business was cut in half. “It’s just hard to hang on to the finish line,” she said.

In response to the ongoing financial strain, Naugatuck officials are taking action.

“Come up with a plan using interest we have accumulated on the federal and state money,” said Mayor Pete Hess (D), referring to a new grant program the town is rolling out to support impacted businesses.

The city has approved $250,000 for the program, which will begin accepting applications in May. Funds are expected to be distributed by June.

“We want to help them stay, remain, you know and get a jump start,” Hess said, explaining that the grant will help bridge the gap for businesses that endured the worst of the construction phase.

City officials made the decision to conduct all construction simultaneously—an approach that would create a shorter, more intense disruption rather than stretching work over a decade.

With the grant program on the way and upgrades nearing completion, many business owners are turning their eyes toward the future. “I look forward to it being done and how much more foot traffic it eventually will bring,” said Fusco.

Originally reported by Kevin Gaiss in NBC Connecticut.