Indiana is receiving nearly $10 million in federal grants to advance assessment and cleanup projects at contaminated brownfield sites, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced earlier this month.
Ten recipients will get a total of 9.4 million, $7.8 from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and $1.6 million from Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations, according to the May 13 EPA announcement. The Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) is to receive $5.9 million; $2 million for environmental assessments and cleanup and reuse plans, and $3.9 for the IFA's Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), the EPA reports.
Jim McGoff, IFA's director of environmental programs and COO, said the grants "will support Governor Holcomb’s priority to continue cultivating our strong and diverse economy in Indiana and serve as a vital aspect in turning blighted brownfield sites into neighborhood assets," the EPA reports.
Once remediated, previously contaminated brownfield sites can be redeveloped into beneficial additions to a community, such as food markets, affordable housing, clinics, clean-energy production and museums and parks, according to the EPA.
“EPA’s Brownfields grants are a great investment in Indiana’s future,” EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore said in the announcement. “One of the best ways we can build back better in Indiana is by revitalizing unused and contaminated properties and returning them to productive purposes in communities across the state.”
The EPA's brownfields program furthers the goals of Pres. Biden's Justice40 Initiative of ensuring that disadvantaged communities get at least 40% of the benefits from specific federal initiatives, the report states. To date, more than 85% of grant recipients selected nationwide have proposed projects for underserved areas, according to the EPA.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing much needed funding to help communities turn contaminated and potentially dangerous sites into economic opportunities,” EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said in the announcement.
"This year, 86% of communities across the nation who are receiving Brownfields grants have proposed projects in historically underserved areas," McCabe said. "This is a great step in our efforts to finally confront the challenges that have held back many vulnerable communities across this country from reaching their full potential.”
