Three Florida communities recently received $1.45 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection (EPA) to assist with the clean up and redevelopment of brownfields sites. They are:Â The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the city of Miami and Florida Community College at Jacksonville.
These EPA grants, funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), are in addition to the $4.8 million in brownfields grants awarded to Florida communities in May 2009. The additional funding brings the total brownfields grant awards in Florida to $6.25 million for this year.
“Redevelopment of brownfields sites removes contamination, builds stronger communities by creating economic opportunities and protects the environment,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole. “With the help of Florida’s brownfields program and federal grants, these communities can receive brownfields-specific job training and reduce environmental hazards.”
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council was one of the 55 applicants chosen from a nationwide pool to receive supplemental funding for a brownfields revolving loan fund grant. The $450,000 grant will be used to replenish its current revolving loan fund and support cleanup work at a former incinerator and landfill in the city of West Palm Beach.
The city of Miami and Florida Community College at Jacksonville were among only 14 communities in eight states selected to receive Brownfields Environmental Job Training grants. The grants are $500,000 each and will enable the city of Miami and Florida Community College at Jacksonville to teach environmental assessment and cleanup job skills to individuals living in areas near brownfields sites.
EPA selected these Florida proposals in a nationwide competitive process based on community need and public involvement. DEP assisted applicants during the grant application process and will continue to provide support as they carry out their proposals.
Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution. State and federal brownfield redevelopment programs help communities revitalize properties environmentally, restore economic vitality and mitigate potential health risks to areas where brownfields exist.
DEP’s brownfields redevelopment program, which began in 1998, is one of the fastest growing programs in the nation with a steady annual increase in development projects. Today, there are more than 130 brownfield projects underway and 229 designated brownfield areas in Florida. Based upon economic and regulatory incentives, the program uses private revenue to clean up and redevelop sites, create new jobs and enhance the local economy.
For more information about Florida’s brownfields program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/brownfields/default.htm.
For more information on the federal brownfields grants, visit http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/eparecovery/index.htm.
For more information about Florida’s use of federal recovery dollars made available through ARRA, please visit www.FlaRecovery.com.
