HI
                           C3
  Brownfields  2004

  Grant Fact  Sheet

Faith City International

      Ministries,  Baton

           Rouge,  LA



EPA Brownfields Program

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up,
and sustainably reuse brownfields A brownfield site is
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. On January 11, 2002, the President
signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and
Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields
Law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible
applicants through four competitive grant programs:
assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup
grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding
support is provided to state and tribal response pro-
grams through a separate mechanism.

Community Description

The Faith City International Ministries was selected to
receive  a brownfields cleanup grant. The targeted area
is the inner-city community of Istrouma in East Baton
Rouge, where more than 98 percent of the 28,553
residents live in poverty. Approximately 97 percent of
Istrouma residents lack high school diplomas, and the
area suffers from high rates of unemployment, vio-
lence, drug abuse, and prostitution. According to
current estimates, there are 400 brownfield sites in the
East Baton Rouge Parish. Redevelopment will encour-
age capital investment, provide jobs, increase property
values, and improve the neighborhood.
Cleanup Grant
$97,373 for hazardous substances

EPA has selected the Faith City International
Ministries for a brownfields cleanup grant.
Hazardous substances cleanup grant funds will be
used to clean up the former Juban Lumber
Company site in East Baton Rouge, which also
was previously used as a welding equipment
repair company, and an automotive and machinery
repair shop. Previous assessments have identified
pesticides, asbestos, lead, and semi-volatiles at the
site. Grant funds will also be used for preparation
of a final report, and community outreach activi-
ties. The site will be redeveloped into a job training
facility for area residents.
Contacts
For further information, including specific grant
contacts, additional grant information, brownfields
news and events, and publications and links, visit
the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/
brownfields

EPA Region 6 Brownfields Team
214-665-2180
http://www.epa.gov/region6/brownfields

Grant Recipient: Faith City International
Ministries, LA
225-356-1655

The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, the activities
described in this fact sheet are subject to change.
                                                Solid Waste and
                                                Emergency Response
                                                (5105T)
                     EPA560-F-04-129
                     June 2004
                     www.epa.gov/brownfields

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