Connecticut is following up on an initiative to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in its public schools.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced the first round of grants Wednesday under the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program.

The program was created last year after the state determined that upgrades were still necessary, even after the Lamont administration gave the schools more than $165 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

"This has got to be a safety zone. Schools have got to be a place where kids know they can relax, their parents know that their kids are safe. We'll make sure that if we ever have one of these pandemics again...I will be confident that you can be right here at Walsh School and be here safely. That's why we're making these investments," said Lamont.

The first round of grants will go to qualifying schools throughout the state showing a need for renovated systems.