The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 presented a $500,000 ceremonial check to Schuyler Community Development on Wednesday for their EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant selection. EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister explains what a Brownfields Assessment Grant is.
The assessment grant funds will be used to conduct multiple Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. This funding will also be used to identify and prioritize additional sites; develop four cleanup plans; conduct three visioning sessions; prepare three site reuse assessments and one revitalization plan; and perform community engagement activities.
Economic Development Coordinator Brian Bywater talks about where in town they’ll be looking to use the grant.
Bywater says they also want to look at Orphan Fuel Tanks.
Bywater says this is a huge deal for the community.
Bywater says Schuyler has never done anything to this magnitude before.
McCollister explains what the Brownfields Program is all about.
Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant funds help transform once-polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities.
McCollister talks about what Brownfields Assessment Grants do for a community.
The ceremonial check was presented near a former municipal power plant and brownfield site.
Bywater talks about how Schuyler obtained this grant.
Bywater says what they do with the properties is an open book.
