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Brownfields  2005

 Grant Fact  Sheet

  Charlotte Brownfield

      Redevelopment

        Authority,  Ml


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 Charlotte Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was
selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants.
The city (population 8,381) was incorporated in 1871 and
previously enjoyed a strong manufacturing base. In recent
years, the loss of manufacturing businesses and jobs has
resulted in abandoned and blighted properties with real or
perceived contamination, deterring private investment.
Currently, more than 30 percent of households in the city
have annual incomes of less than $25,000, which repre-
sents one of the highest poverty rates in Eaton County.
Additionally, the city's median income is approximately
$ 10,000 less than the county-wide median income. The
                                 Assessment Grants
                                 $200,000 for hazardous substances
                                 $200,000 for petroleum

                                 EPA has selected the Charlotte Brownfield
                                 Redevelopment Authority for two brownfields
                                 assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant
                                 funds will be used to conduct a site inventory,
                                 perform up to ten Phase I and Phase II site
                                 assessments, and conduct brownfields remediation
                                 and reuse planning activities. Petroleum funds will
                                 be used to perform the same tasks at sites with
                                 potential petroleum contamination. Funds also will
                                 be used for community outreach activities.
                                 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 5 Brownfields Team
                                 312-886-7576
                                 http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/

                                 Grant Recipient: Charlotte Brownfield Redevelop-
                                 ment Authority, MI
                                 517-543-8853

                                 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
                                 yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
                                 in this fact sheet are subject to change.
                               social, economic, and health problems associated with
                               disinvestment trends are amplified in target areas where
                               there is a higher concentration of low-income housing and
                               high poverty rates. These neighborhoods are adjacent to
                               existing or former industrial operations and commercial
                               establishments, such as gasoline stations and motor repair
                               facilities. Brownfields redevelopment will allow for the
                               productive reuse of underutilized properties, add to the tax
                               base, create jobs, spur private investment, and reduce or
                               eliminate human health and safety concerns.
                                                 Solid Waste and
                                                 Emergency Response
                                                 (5105T)
                                                       EPA 560-F-05-090
                                                       May 2005
                                                       www.epa.gov/brownfields

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