The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently marked the $3.15 million Brownfields redevelopment in Rhode Island, with the funding a direct result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

According to an EPA news release, the law drives projects such as this to help revitalize communities across the nation by funding cleanups in contaminated tracts and putting them back to good use. Joining EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe at an event in Woonsocket was Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Acting Director Terry Gray, Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, and EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash.

"Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are significantly ramping up our investments in communities across Rhode Island and right here in Woonsocket,” McCabe said in the EPA news release. “EPA is committed to ensuring that the bulk of our funding is going to confront challenges that have held back so many vulnerable communities like Woonsocket from reaching their full potential." 

Baldelli-Hunt, according to the release, noted that she was “grateful to receive the generous EPA awards to assess, clean-up, and transform blighted properties in our community.” She also noted in the release that the grants will help spark job growth and drive tax revenues while also improving the environment and improve living conditions. 

In the EPA news release, U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., noted that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is reaping rewards for Rhode Island residents by bringing money into communities. He added in the release he is excited by the prospect of watching federal dollars remake contaminated sites into productive properties.