For Immediate Release No. 14-OPA091
E.P.A. Awards Brownfield Grants to Hennepin Co. and City of Duluth
(Minneapolis, Minnesota -- June 24, 2014) E.P.A. Region five Administrator Susan Hedman today announced 2 brownfield assessment grants totaling $800,000 to promote redevelopment of contaminated sites in Hennepin Co. and Duluth, Minnesota. Hedman announced the new E.P.A. grants at a meeting in Minneapolis hosted by Minnesota Brownfields, a statewide non-profit organization.
"These E.P.A. grants are solid investments in the future of Hennepin Co. and Duluth - that will help transform contaminated sites into redevelopment opportunities," said Hedman. "Hennepin County's new E.P.A. grant will promote redevelopment along transit corridors in neighborhoods with high unemployment. Duluth will use this E.P.A. backing to help establish a new industrial park and more green space in the Saint Louis River Corridor."
E.P.A. is awarding a $400,000 brownfield grant to Hennepin Co. to help redevelop 6 transit corridors including Bottineau, Central Corridor, Hiawatha, Lowry Avenue, Penn Avenue and Southwest. Currently blighted and underutilized, the Co. expects redevelopment along these corridors to attract companies and jobs.
"This grant will help us leverage public and private investments to enhance environmental conditions and support job development along the transit corridors," said Co. Board Chair Michael Opat. "Funding environmental assessments can be a critical piece that brings redevelopment plans and businesses to contaminated properties."
E.P.A. is awarding a $400,000 brownfield grant to Duluth to conduct environmental assessments in the Western Port, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park and Gary-New Duluth neighborhoods. E.P.A. funds will be used to help redevelop the former Hardwood Manufacturing site, to establish a new industrial park, to complete trails and bikeways, and to promote mixed-use redevelopment in the city's western neighborhoods.
"The E.P.A. Brownfield Assessment Grant plan plays a critical role in our projects for revitalizing the western neighborhoods of Duluth and specifically the Saint Louis River Corridor," said Duluth Mayor Don Ness. "We are grateful for the EPA's support of our vision to reinvigorate Duluth's economic base while preserving our most precious natural resources. Duluth has unique challenges ahead addressing its brownfields but we take this challenge on knowing that the outcomes of sustainable investments will create jobs and long-term stability for our community."
Hennepin Co. and Duluth are 2 of the 171 communities receiving 2014 brownfield grants from E.P.A. to clean up contaminated properties and boost local economies by redeveloping former polluted sites.
More information on brownfields grants by state:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/
