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Brownfields Technical Assistance, Training and Research

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Brownfields Amendments authorize EPA to provide funding to organizations to conduct research and to provide training and technical assistance to communities to help address their brownfields challenges. Information presented below lists past and current technical assistance and research projects EPA funds and resources that are available to all communities.

Please review the Technical Assistance, Training, and Research Application Resources for information on open solicitations.

On this page:

Technical Assistance and Research Projects under Section 104k(7)

Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB)

The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program provides technical assistance to communities and stakeholders to help address their brownfield sites, and to increase their understanding and involvement in brownfields cleanup, revitalization and reuse. The TAB Program is funded by EPA and available to all stakeholders.

TAB grant recipients (also known as TAB providers) serve as an independent resource and can provide expert technical assistance and guidance to help communities, among other things, understand:

  • acquiring, assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfield properties;
  • the health impacts of brownfield sites;
  • how science and technology are used for site assessment, remediation, redevelopment and reuse; and
  • how to comply with voluntary cleanup requirements.

EPA's Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program: Transforming environmental liabilities into community assets provides information on TAB providers by region of the country and on the types of assistance available through the program. ​

EPA has awarded three TAB Grants which provide technical support to brownfield sites in multiple EPA regions as listed below.  The map below shows where EPA regions are located so you can see which TAB provider covers a particular EPA region or state(s).

These  videos further explainhow our TAB grantees help communities tackle blighted properties:

Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) 

The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. The organization was formed in 1982 with the mission to strengthen the efforts of state and local development finance agencies fostering job creation and economic growth through the use of tax-exempt and other public-private partnership finance programs. CDFA members include state, county, and municipal agencies that provide or otherwise support economic development financing programs, as well as a variety of non-governmental and private organizations ranging from regional and large investment banks to commercial finance companies to bond counsel, bond insurers, trustees, venture capital companies, rating agencies, and other organizations interested in development finance.

Groundwork USA

 For access to resources and to request technical assistance, visit Groundwork USA's website. 

Groundwork USA is a national organization with local roots, engaging local businesses, residents and government officials to revitalize neighborhoods and transform community liabilities into community assets. They have a network of 21 local trusts based in small “legacy” cities, in underserved neighborhoods within larger cities, and in rural communities– all frequently overlooked by funders and policymakers.

Through May 2024, Groundwork USA will develop materials and provide free technical assistance to 25 communities across the U.S. to promote the integration of environmental justice and equitable development principles when developing solutions to brownfields assessment, cleanup, and revitalization challenges.

The fact sheet below provides more detail on Groundwork USA's available resources and technical assistance. 

Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute at Eastern Iowa Community College (HMTRI)

The Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute (HMTRI)at Eastern Iowa Community College is an environmental health and safety education and training organization established in 1987. HMTRI promotes environmental worker health and safety and the maintenance of a clean and safe environment through education and training. HMTRI offers and promotes educational opportunities, partnerships, and training programs related to Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. 

University of Louisville

The University of Louisvilleis now doing research to investigate and develop a brownfields benefits tool that communities can use to see where it makes the most economic and environmental sense to invest their brownfields resources. The research was moved from Virginia Tech to the University of Louisville, their research partner.

Webinar Series: Brownfields Technical Assistance Available to Communities 

EPA hosted a webinar series in July 2019 to feature the range of FREE assistance available to communities who struggle with brownfield challenges. Check out the archive of the webinar designed for your community. 

Technical Assistance Tools

Brownfields Road Map to Understanding Options for Site Investigation and Cleanup, Sixth Edition

The Brownfields Road Map (sixth edition) provides a general outline of how to assess and clean up a brownfield site and introduce stakeholders to a range of technology options and available resources. General concepts and basic considerations that affect the cleanup of brownfield sites are described with a streamlined approach that covers:
  • setting reuse goals and planning,
  • understanding regulations and liability concerns,
  • engaging the community, and
  • identifying funding.

Targeted for non-technical stakeholders and technical professionals, the Brownfields Road Map walks users through the big picture of managing a brownfield site from assessment to reuse and introduces technology options and considerations for each phase.

Brownfields Grant Recipients' Road Map to Understanding Quality Assurance Project Plans 

EPA prepared the Brownfields Grant Recipients' Road Map to Understanding Quality Assurance Project Plans to help recipients of an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant design and complete site assessment projects more efficiently and effectively. This is accomplished by increasing their awareness and understanding of the importance of quality assurance (QA) in brownfield site projects. The Road Map describes a general process for developing and using a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), while highlighting the benefits of a well-prepared QAPP and helping those responsible for the process to better understand and communicate with all parties involved.

Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center (BTSC)

EPA created the BTSC  in 1998  to help decision-makers who prepare brownfield sites for productive reuse get technical and legal assistance needed to fully understand the complexities of investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites. Specifically, the BTSC helps decision-makers:
  • evaluate strategies to streamline the site investigation and cleanup process;
  • identify and review information about complex technology options;
  • evaluate contractor capabilities and recommendations; and
  • explain complex technologies to communities.

Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN)

CLU-INprovides information about innovative treatment and site characterization technologies to the hazardous waste remediation community. It describes programs, organizations, publications, and other tools for federal and state personnel, consulting engineers, technology developers and vendors, remediation contractors, researchers, community groups, and individual citizens. The site was developed by EPA but is intended as a forum for all waste remediation stakeholders.

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