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  Brownfields  2005
  Grant  Fact  Sheet
          Fletcher,  NC
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. Abrownfield 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, President George
W. Bush 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. Addi-
tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal
response programs through a separate mechanism.

Community Description

The Town of Fletcher was selected to receive a
brownfields cleanup grant. Fletcher, with a population
of approximately 4,200, is located in western North
Carolina between the cities of Asheville and
Hendersonville. Fletcher has been fortunate to have a
strong industrial base over the years; however, recent
trends have shown significant losses in the manufactur-
ing sector. Rapid population growth threatens the
town's natural capital while rural economic distress and
loss of high-paying jobs create pressure to accommo-
date development. In addition, the recent widening of
U.S. Highway 25 resulted in the elimination of what
once  was the historic town center. The target site,
called the "Heart of Fletcher," is a former log home
   Cleanup Grant
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   $200,000 for hazardous substances
   EPA has selected the Town of Fletcher for a
   brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be
   used for community outreach activities, site
   planning/remedial design, and cleanup of a 28.5-
   acre former log home manufacturing facility
   located at 91 Municipal Drive. Funds also will be
   used to monitor the health of residents exposed to
   hazardous substances or pollutants.
   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 4 Brownfields Team
  404-562-8684
  http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/bf/index.htm

  Grant Recipient: Town of Fletcher, NC
  828-251-6622

  The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
  yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
  in this fact sheet are subject to change.
manufacturing facility that the town envisions redevel-
oping into a new downtown area. The city expects to
build a town hall, police station, and community center
on the site, as well as residential, commercial, retail,
and recreational facilities. Redevelopment will spur job
growth, increase the town's housing stock, and provide
a public green for town gatherings.
                                                  Solid Waste and
                                                  Emergency Response
                                                  (5105T)
                         EPA 560-F-05-048
                         May 2005
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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