Windham Regional Commission Receives $300,000 Brownfields Grant
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WRC was selected as one of six organizations in Vermont selected to receive a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for environmental assessment work. The $300,000 grant will cover five site assessments, five cleanup plans and the development of an area-wide plan. This work will be targeted in the communities with the most need, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Wilmington, although brownfields projects throughout the region are eligible. “The Windham Regional Commission is pleased to be able to help more communities and property owners clean up and redevelop contaminated sites in Southern Vermont”, said WRC Senior Planner Susan Westa.
Brownfields are land and buildings whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The Windham Region Brownfields Reuse Initiative has been funding brownfields assessment and cleanup work for almost 20 years. The new funds will allow WRC to continue assessing sites for the next three years. WRC’s Revolving Loan Fund is available to assist property owners and communities with cleanup efforts. To learn more about WRBRI see http://www.windhamregional.org/brownfields .
In the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and the Bennington County Industrial Corporation will receive funding to clean up contaminated sites. Other Vermont regional planning commissions receiving assessment funding this year include the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Rutland Regional Planning Commission and Two Rivers Ottaquechee Regional Planning Commission.
Grants awarded by EPA’s Brownfield Program provide communities across the country with an opportunity to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes while taking advantage of existing infrastructure. “Communities across Vermont will benefit from EPA Brownfields funding,” said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro. “Brownfields funding jump starts environmental cleanup at contaminated properties allowing them to be re-developed to benefit the community and its residents.”
For more information, contact, Susan Westa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 802-257-4547.
