EPA announces $2 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant to the Rome Floyd County Development Authority (RFCDA) for cleanup activities at the Battey Business Complex

October 21, 2024

ROME, Ga. (October 21, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) participated in an event celebrating the award of an EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant of $2 million to the Rome Floyd County Development Authority (RFCDA) for cleanup activities at the Battey Business Complex. This grant is being funded with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and was officially awarded on October 5, 2024.

Acting EPA Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle was joined by Board Chairman Jimmy Byars, Rome City Manager Sammy Rich, and other local and state officials to celebrate the announcement of the grant at the site of the former Battey State Hospital in Rome.
 

“Today’s announcement reflects this administration’s commitment to ensure that benefits of certain Federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution,” said Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “We are excited about the potential of this brownfields grant to provide jobs while cleaning up blighted areas of this community and promoting public health and a cleaner environment.”

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects. As Brownfield sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

EPA’s Brownfields Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations in all aspects of its work.

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields Program visit EPA’s Brownfields webpage.     

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