Brownfield Grants Awarded
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a total of $2 million for 10 brownfield grants to Kentucky communities. Owensboro received three grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites. Covington received one grant for clean up and two assessment grants to inventory, characterize and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfield sites. Louisville and Buffalo Trace Area Development District each received one assessment grant, while Letcher County Conservation District received two assessment grants.
The Kentucky Brownfield Program offers grant support services, including grant writing workshops and grant reviews. A series of grant writing workshops will be held in early August for communities and organizations interested in applying for brownfield cleanup, assessment or revolving loan fund grants. For more information on the Kentucky Brownfield Program or EPA grants, e-mail
Amanda LeFevre.
New Tools
The Kentucky Brownfield Program is happy to announce the addition of a few new tools to help with brownfield redevelopment. The new online inventory submittal system allows cities, counties, individuals and other entities to list brownfield properties that are available for purchase. The properties, which are eligible for incentives, will be marketed by the Kentucky Brownfield Program staff. Check out the inventory page for more information.
The program is also pleased to offer the Kentucky Toolbox for Cleanup and Redevelopment of Contaminated Sites in Small Cities and Rural Communities. This step-by-step manual can help guide brownfield redevelopers through the process of addressing and reusing a contaminated property. Check out the new toolbox.
A brownfield site means real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. These properties include abandoned factories, former dry cleaning establishments, vacant gas stations, illegal drug labs, old dumps and mine scarred lands.
Problems caused by unaddressed brownfields include:
- Potential effects on human health and the environment.
- Loss of greenfields.
- Urban sprawl.
- Urban blight.
- Decreased property values in neighborhoods.
The Brownfield Program is here to help communities, nonprofits and prospective purchasers with their brownfield projects. We offer a variety of services to those who are interested in turning problem properties into economic and community development opportunities. Our services include:
Assessments
The Kentucky Brownfield Program can offer a limited number of Targeted Brownfield Assessments (TBAs) to local governments and nonprofits free of charge.
Tax Incentives
Kentucky offers tax incentives for redevelopment of qualified properties. The Kentucky Brownfield Program can help determine if your site is eligible.
Help Desk
The Brownfield Help Desk connects you with a member of the Kentucky Brownfield Program team who can:
- Serve as a liaison, ombudsman and interagency coordinator for your project.
- Provide information about financial resources (grants, low interest loans, tax incentives).
- Inform stakeholders about liability protection.
- Find the proper contacts for brownfield issues.
- Help determine site status.
- Answer questions about statutes, regulations and policies.
- Review and critique grants.
The Brownfield Help Desk can be reached at 1-800-926-8111.
Information and Education
The Kentucky Brownfield Program is striving to provide more learning opportunities, informational programs and materials. If you are interested in future workshops, mailings and newsletters, contact us and we will be happy to add you to our brownfield mailing list.
Brownfield Inventory
Do you own a brownfield that needs to be redeveloped or are interested in purchasing a brownfield? The Kentucky Brownfield Program has established a voluntary brownfield inventory. Sites submitted to the inventory are marketed by the program staff and are potentially eligible for free site assessments, grants, low-interest loans and tax incentives. Check out our inventory if you are interested in properties or our registration page if you are interested in submitting a property.
