The city of Harlowton, Mont., received a $500,000 Brownfields grant to clean up and revitalize a former railyard and depot property.
The area is environmentally damaged by both natural and unnatural contaminants, according to a May 12 EPA news release. This project is a part of President Joe Biden's Justice 40 Initiative.
“EPA is pleased to help the city address contamination and restore the use and enjoyment of this railyard property along the Musselshell River,” EPA Regional Administrator K.C. Becker said in the release. “This project is a potent example of how Brownfields grants can help small communities transform blighted sites and create lasting benefits and opportunities for their residents."
The release reported federal officials also praised the plan.
“My bipartisan infrastructure law will help to change that by reinvesting in the communities that have been most affected by leftover contamination and pollution," Sen. Jon Tester said, according to the release. "By working across the aisle with five Republicans and four other Democrats, we were able to secure critical funding to repurpose old or abandoned properties in the Treasure State and create good paying Montana jobs in the process.”
Local officials concurred with this praise of the plan and thought it would help the town, according to the release.
”As a small community, we are so excited for this funding to benefit our vision of cleaning up our town and reestablishing the beauty of our existing landmarks," Harlowton Mayor Paul Otten said in the release. "Our goal is to use these funds towards the removal of asbestos from the Roundhouse and surrounding contaminated grounds that were left behind after the E57B Railroad was no longer in service. We look forward to putting these funds to positive use and are so grateful for your kind contribution.”
