(Lenexa, Kan., May 8, 2013) - 9 cities and 2 state agencies in Region seven have been selected to gain in excess of $4.5 million from EPA's Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup (ARC) Grants program. These funds will provide key support toward the assessment, cleanup and revitalization of brownfields properties in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska communities.
The eleven recipients in E.P.A. Region seven are among 240 in 45 states to gain ARC grants for 2013.
They include Coralville, Iowa, $382,000 for assessment; Council Bluffs, Iowa, $200,000 for assessment; Dubuque, Iowa, $400,000 for assessment; Fort Dodge, Iowa, $400,000 for assessment; Ottumwa, Iowa, $400,000 for assessment; Howardville, Mo., $200,000 for cleanup; Kansas City, Mo., $600,000 for cleanup; Springfield, Mo., $400,000 for assessment; Lincoln, Neb., $400,000 for cleanup; Kansas Department of Health and Environment, $600,000 for assessment; and Missouri Department of Natural Resources, $600,000 for assessment.
EPA's Brownfields ARC Grants target under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed. Region seven communities will use these funds to conduct environmental assessments, cleanup planning, cleanups and conduct community outreach. Coalition partnerships allow recipients to reach more neighborhoods that might not otherwise have access to resources to address blight.
Brownfields are defined as those properties whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfields sites include all "real property," including residential, commercial and industrial properties. It is estimated that there are in excess of 450,000 brownfields in the U.S. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, utilizes existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off of undeveloped, open land, and both improves and protects the environment.
