Gulf Coast’s EPA brownfield grants

DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 8 that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) will receive $800,000 as a Brownfield revolving loan fund grant. The funding is part of $65.6M given nationwide to assess and clean up contaminated properties under the agency’s Brownfield program. “LDEQ’s Brownfield programs have a history of success throughout the state,” said Region 6 Administrator Ken McQueen. Revolving loan fund grants are to assist communities to invest in abandoned and damaged properties and return them to productive use. LDEQ will target areas of Shreveport Common, historic riverfronts of Monroe, West Monroe, Ouachita and small communities like Arabi. Nationally, EPA announced the selection of 155 grants for communities and tribes totaling over $65.6M in funding of Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grant Programs. The funds will aid under-served and economically disadvantaged communities in assessing and cleaning up abandoned industrial and commercial properties. A brownfield is a property for which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. (Source: EPA 05/08/20) Other Gulf Coast regional recipients: Louisiana – Alexandria $300K; Mississippi – Canton $300K, Three Rivers Planning and Development District Inc., New Albany, Pontotoc, and Tupelo $600K, Vicksburg $300K, and West Point Consolidated School District in Cedar Bluff $264K. Alabama – Bessemer $300K, Mobile $300K, and Dothan $297K. (https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-selects-louisiana-dept-environmental-quality-800000-brownfields-revolving-loan-fund