Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet

Kent, OH

EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders 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 GRANT

$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the City of Kent for a brownfields assessment grant. Petroleum grant funds will be used for conducting community outreach, inventorying and prioritizing sites, and conducting five to six Phase I and from three to five Phase II environmental site assessments.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

The City of Kent was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located in northeast Ohio, just outside of Akron, Kent (population 27,906) has developed around industrial manufacturing and its relationship with Kent State University. As traditional high-paying manufacturing jobs have been lost, there has been an increase in service-sector positions, which are associated with lower wages. While the city has a relatively low unemployment rate, 15 percent of Kent families live in poverty. The city is partnering with the university to encourage high-quality manufacturing, high-tech businesses, and technology transfer opportunities. To preserve greenspace and recruit and retain downtown investment, brownfields must be addressed. Revitalized brownfields will be used for small business expansion, recreation facilities, and attractions that will bring residents and tourists to the central business district. Brownfields redevelopment will increase tax revenues, provide high-quality jobs, increase services to residents and tourists, and provide benefits to the economy and the environment.

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: City of Kent, OH
330-678-8108

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