Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $8,387,710 in grant awards from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Florida. These investments through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs aim to transform polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets while creating jobs and spurring economic revitalization.
EPA selected six communities in Florida to receive grants totaling more than $8 million. Additionally, $3.5 million in supplemental funding will be provided to an existing high-performing Brownfields RLF Grant Program for continued work at sites in Florida.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan is set to announce the awards alongside Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon at a local brownfield site near Bartram’s Mile in Philadelphia.
“Far too many communities across America have suffered the harmful economic and health consequences of living near polluted brownfield sites,” said President Joe Biden. “I've long believed that people who’ve borne the burden of pollution should be the first to see the benefits of new investment.”
“President Biden sees contaminated sites and blighted areas as an opportunity to invest in healthier, revitalized communities,” added EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle stated: “Today’s announcement by President Biden and Administrator Regan reflects this administration’s commitment to ensure that benefits of certain Federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.”
Congressman Soto expressed his support for the initiative: "We are thrilled that the Environmental Protection Agency has granted East Central Florida Regional Planning Council $1,500,000 for Brownsfield assessment which includes the Downtown Kissimmee CRA/Vine Street Corridor."
The state funding breakdown includes:
- East Central Florida Regional Planning Council receiving a $3.5 million assessment grant.
- Hillsborough County receiving a $1.5 million assessment grant.
- Wimauma Community Development Corporation receiving a $500,000 assessment grant.
Additionally, South Florida Regional Planning Council will receive $3.5 million through non-competitive supplemental funding for its successful RLF Grant Program.
The EPA anticipates making all announced awards once legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
Since its inception in 1995, EPA's Brownfields Program has provided nearly $2.7 billion in grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties. The program's annual funding has significantly increased due to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
For more information on EPA’s Brownfields Program visit EPA’s Brownfields webpage.
