The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a total of $5 million in Brownfield grant funding has been awarded to four Louisiana agencies.
According to an Oct. 6 news release, the four agencies receiving grant funding include the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the South Central Planning and Development Commission, the city/parish of Baton Rouge and the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission.
"Due to the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA can count on many effective partners in Louisiana that understand the value of redevelopment investments for disadvantaged communities,” Region 6 Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance said in the release. “The BIL continues to be an achievement that prioritizes public health in our communities."
Nance added, this funding will help to address areas that prevented economic growth for years, according to the release. She shared her appreciation for the cooperation of the Louisiana partners and "their longstanding mission of protecting human health."
“It is a historic day for southeast Louisiana as we celebrate $5 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up brownfield sites across our communities,” Congressman Troy Carter said in the release. “Together, these investments will transform unusable and unsafe properties into thriving, clean and exciting areas that can be used to help grow jobs and build community."
He noted how proud he was to have supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the release reported.
"This is yet another example of Congress and the Biden administration’s dedication to deliver results and improve daily life for the American people," Cater said in the release.
A breakdown of the $5 million in funding shows the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will receive $2,000,000, the South Central Planning and Development Commission will receive $2 million, Baton Rouge and the parish of East Baton Rouge will receive $500,000 and the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission will receive $500,000, according to the release. These funds will be used for various environmental site assessments and operations.
