EPA Grants to Help Brownfield Remediation
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding more than $2 million in grants to six Indiana communities through its Brownfields Program. The agency says the funding will help the recipients assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment.
The funding is being awarded as Brownfield Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund or Cleanup grants. The EPA says the grants will leverage other public and private investments and improve local economies.
"Clearly there is no shortage of creativity, innovation and ingenuity when it comes to brownfields redevelopment projects in the great State of Indiana," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp. “EPA looks forward to expanding our work with our partners to redevelop brownfields so they can once again be thriving parts of their communities – spurring local economies with jobs and new businesses as well as generating tax revenues and spending.”
The six Indiana grantees are:
Clarksville
- The town will receive $440,000 to prepare properties along the Ohio River for redevelopment. Idle properties that once housed historic industries along the west and south riverfronts will be investigated to ensure environmental contamination does not prevent safe redevelopment.
Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission in Southern Indiana
- The commission will receive $400,000 to investigate the environmental condition of former industrial properties and main-street buildings in six towns located in the southern part of the state. A previous Brownfield grant was used to assess properties and helped the towns of Birdseye and Jasper prepare for a new fire station and hotel, respectively.
Indianapolis
- Indianapolis will investigate environmental conditions in southeast neighborhoods with an additional $300,000 in grant funding. This grant will be the fifth Indianapolis has received. Earlier grants helped the city redevelop numerous properties including The Vue, a 242-unit residential complex.
Jeffersonville
- Jeffersonville will receive a $300,000 grant to continue redevelopment efforts. Properties in the 10th Street Corridor will be assessed during the transformation into a pedestrian-friendly marketplace neighborhood that includes housing and commercial space. A previous grant supported the creation of housing and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Ohio River linking the city with Louisville.
Michigan City Sanitary District
- Michigan City will receive $600,000 to conduct environmental investigations of properties throughout the city. The grant is made in partnership with the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission to continue the redevelopment of recreational areas near Trail Creek and promote job creation by reclaiming former industrial properties in the Monon Corridor.
Richmond
- Richmond will continue to pursue redevelopment in the Depot District through a $300,000 grant. Richmond will promote additional business and employment beginning with the environmental investigation of abandoned and idle properties in the area.
You can learn more about the EPA’s Brownfields Program by clicking here.