Brownfields 2005 Grant Fact Sheet

Charlotte Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, MI

EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders in economic development to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.

ASSESSMENT GRANTS

$200,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the Charlotte Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct a site inventory, perform up to ten Phase I and Phase II site assessments, and conduct brownfields remediation and reuse planning activities. Petroleum funds will be used to perform the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination. Funds also will be used for community outreach activities.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

The Charlotte Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. The city (population 8,381) was incorporated in 1871 and previously enjoyed a strong manufacturing base. In recent years, the loss of manufacturing businesses and jobs has resulted in abandoned and blighted properties with real or perceived contamination, deterring private investment. Currently, more than 30 percent of households in the city have annual incomes of less than $25,000, which represents one of the highest poverty rates in Eaton County. Additionally, the city's median income is approximately $10,000 less than the county-wide median income. The social, economic, and health problems associated with disinvestment trends are amplified in target areas where there is a higher concentration of low-income housing and high poverty rates. These neighborhoods are adjacent to existing or former industrial operations and commercial establishments, such as gasoline stations and motor repair facilities. Brownfields redevelopment will allow for the productive reuse of underutilized properties, add to the tax base, create jobs, spur private investment, and reduce or eliminate human health and safety concerns.

CONTACTS

For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields.

EPA Region 5 Brownfields Team
312-886-7576
http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/

Grant Recipient: Charlotte Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, MI
517-543-8853

The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change.