Today, at Ilus W. Davis Park in Kansas City, Missouri, EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister presented ceremonial checks totaling $4.5 million to the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Kansas City Regional Brownfields Coalition. This funding supports their Brownfields Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs).
McCollister was accompanied by Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw; Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor/CEO Tyrone Garner; U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-5); and U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-3).
“When it comes to clean land, water, and air, our environment transcends state boundaries,” McCollister said. “Today’s celebration is yet another example of how we can work together, across borders, for a better environment for all of our communities.”
The City of Kansas City's Brownfield RLF received an additional $3.5 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) due to its high-performing program with significantly depleted funds. The program has facilitated loans or subgrants leading to 11 cleanup projects either completed or in progress.
“I am proud Kansas City received another EPA award of $4.5 million in Supplemental Brownfields Revolving Loan Funds to continue cleaning up our community’s contaminated properties,” Lucas said. “Past EPA awards have helped save and repurpose landmarks... We appreciate the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to providing help where Kansas City needs it most."
The Kansas City Regional Brownfields Coalition’s RLF was awarded an additional $1 million through BIL due to its successful loan leading to one cleanup project.
“On behalf of those that call Wyandotte County home... We appreciate the work and support of the EPA ensuring that Kansas City is a community selected to benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Garner said.
“As the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for our communities... I hope this will be another reminder of the progress we can make when we focus on the needs of our communities,” Cleaver said.
"Cleaning up these contaminated sites is about more than just the environment – it’s about keeping folks safe and creating new economic opportunities for our community,” Davids said.
Many economically stressed communities lack resources for brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects. Transforming these sites into assets attracts jobs and promotes revitalization.
Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's Brownfields program is aiding more communities in addressing economic and environmental challenges caused by brownfields.
This initiative supports President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which aims for 40% of certain federal investments' benefits to flow to disadvantaged communities overburdened by pollution.
EPA began its Brownfields program in 1995, providing nearly $2.7 billion in grants for property assessment and cleanup prior to BIL's historic investment which increased yearly funding nearly 400%.
For lists of FY 2024 grant applicants selected for funding visit EPA’s page.
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