The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding more than $250 million in brownfield funding to 265 communities across the country, and Paterson will benefit from part of $6.5 million earmarked for New Jersey.
A "brownfield" is a tract of land that has been developed for industrial purposes, polluted and then abandoned
According to an EPA news release, the funding for New Jersey includes a a $2 million New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) grant. The funding is part of President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is providing $1.5 billion to drive economic growth and create jobs while cleaning brownfield properties, which is good news to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
“EPA’s Brownfields Program breathes new life into communities by helping to turn contaminated and potentially dangerous sites into productive economic contributors,” Regan said, according to the EPA's website. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are significantly ramping up our investments in communities, with the bulk of our funding going to places that have been overburdened and underserved for far too long."
According to the EPA website, a kickoff event featured EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh and NJEDA's Tim Sullivan.
“The Brownfields program transforms communities, and the (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) gives the program a huge infusion of funding with a historic $1.5 billion that will be leveraged to make a real and lasting on-the-ground difference for communities across the country,” Garcia said, according to the EPA website.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) also lauded the program, noting that as a senator and former mayor, he has witnessed the way these programs can boost communities.
“I am proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is delivering significant investment in restoring brownfield sites across New Jersey,” Booker told the EPA website. “These federal dollars will protect the health and well-being of communities and promote unrealized economic opportunity.”
