Today, at a brownfield site in Clinton, Iowa, EPA Region 7 Brownfields and Land Revitalization Branch Supervisor Stanley Walker presented a $3 million ceremonial check to the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) to supplement their Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). This new funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and adds to the $1.8 million already awarded to ECIA due to its high-performing RLF program.
Walker was accompanied by ECIA Brownfield Development Coordinator Dawn Danielson and Director of Special Programs Jennifer Walker, who accepted the award on behalf of ECIA. Also present were Clinton's Mayor Scott Maddasion, City Administrator Matt Brooke, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites Supervisor Mike Sullivan.
The ECIA Brownfields RLF has facilitated three cleanup projects in Iowa that are either completed or ongoing, including the cleanup at today’s event site. With this additional funding, ECIA aims to continue providing loan assistance for brownfield cleanups in Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson counties.
"EPA Region 7 is proud to deliver these Brownfields funding resources to our partners at ECIA," Walker said. "The Brownfields program is truly a win-win for everyone involved."
“East Central Intergovernmental Association is excited to continue its partnership with EPA,” Danielson stated. “This new EPA Brownfields supplemental funding will replenish ECIA’s revolving loan fund.”
In June 2023, EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister presented a $2 million ceremonial check to ECIA as part of the Brownfields Investing in America Tour. The organization received two grants last year: a $1 million Assessment Coalition Grant and $1 million in RLF supplemental funding.
EPA’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants program provides non-competitive supplemental funding for successful RLF Grant programs. These grants enable communities to address economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by contaminated sites.
Since its inception in 1995, EPA’s Brownfields program has provided nearly $2.7 billion in grants for assessing and cleaning up contaminated properties. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has significantly increased yearly investments from approximately $60 million to nearly $160 million per year.
EPA’s Brownfields program supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative by ensuring that 40% of certain federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities overburdened by pollution. Approximately 86% of selected MAC and RLF Supplemental program applications include proposals for working in such areas.
