EPA Announces $6.7 Million in Brownfields Grants to Cleanup Michigan Communities

May 16, 2025

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of $6,700,000 in Brownfields grants to seven organizations in Michigan that will assess, cleanup, and revitalize local lands. Nationally, EPA announced the selection of $267 million in Brownfields grants to communities across the United States.

“The $267 million in Brownfield grants will transform contaminated properties into valuable spaces for businesses and housing, creating new opportunities that strengthen local economies and directly benefit American families,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “EPA’s Brownfields program demonstrates how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity complement each other. Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water while supporting sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.”

“Brownfields grants empower communities to reclaim and revitalize areas that have previously been underutilized,” said EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel. “By addressing the challenges posed by these sites, we are not only protecting public health and the environment but also unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and community development.”

This round of selectees from Michigan receiving cleanup and assessment grants include:  

• Cass County has been selected for a $300,000 Brownfields assessment grant to conduct 13 Phase I and nine Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to prepare eight cleanup plans and conduct community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the City of Dowagiac and the Village of Cassopolis.
• Crawford County has been selected for a $300,000 Brownfields assessment grant to conduct 10 Phase I and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to update and reprioritize a brownfield site inventory, prepare three cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the I-75 Business Corridor and Grayling Industrial Park.
• Downriver Community Conference and partners have been selected for a $1.2 million Brownfields assessment coalition grant to conduct 40 Phase I and 24 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop five cleanup plans and support community engagement activities. Assessment activities will focus on the Jefferson Avenue Corridor from the City of River Rouge through the City of Trenton and the Ypsilanti Water Street Redevelopment Area. Partners include the City of Monroe, the City of Tecumseh and Washtenaw County.
• The Downriver Community Conference has been selected for $2 million to supplement its existing Brownfield revolving loan fund grant which has successfully made loans or subgrants for past cleanup projects.  The Conference has funded cleanups in Monroe, Dearborn, Wyandotte and Taylor, Michigan with previously awarded grants. Grant funding will be used for projects in Ecorse, Ypsilanti and Monroe, including the Mill Street Redevelopment area, Water Street Redevelopment area and the former Immaculate Heart of Mary property.
• Marquette County has been selected for a $400,000 Brownfields assessment grant to conduct 18 Phase I and 11 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop three cleanup plans and support community engagement activities. The target area for this grant includes the City of Ishpeming and the Town of Sawyer.
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has been selected for a $2 million Brownfields community-wide assessment grant to conduct 55 Phase I and 50 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to perform 25 hazardous building surveys. The target area for this grant includes the cities of Saginaw, Ypsilanti, Jackson, and Sault Sainte Marie. Priority sites include the vacant County Fairgrounds and the former Delphi Energy/Chassis facility.
• Ottawa County has been selected for a $500,000 Brownfields assessment grant to conduct 22 Phase I and 12 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also be used to support cleanup planning and community engagement activities. The target area for this grant includes the Cities of Grand Haven and Holland.

Federal grant recipients must satisfy legal and administrative requirements to receive funds from EPA.

View the list of selected applicants here.  

Background     

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfields investments leveraged more than $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 220,500 jobs.