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 Brownfields  2005
  Grant  Fact  Sheet
      Council Bluffs,  I A
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 City of Council Bluffs was selected to receive two
assessment grants. Council Bluffs (population 58,268)
has been an industrial community since its incorpora-
tionin 1853. In recent years, traditional manufacturing
operations such as rail yards, lumber yards, foundries,
food processing plants, and supporting businesses have
closed. The target area is the South Main Brownfields
Project Area, which is among the oldest and most
deteriorated industrial districts in Council Bluffs.
Vacant properties are located in the area, which has
seen little new investment. These factors have contrib-
uted to reduced property  values of the vacant and
abandoned industrial buildings and of homes in adjacent
neighborhoods. Brownfields also present potential
health concerns. The per  capita income of residents of
  Assessment Grants
   $200,000 for hazardous substances
   $200,000 for petroleum
   EPA has selected the City of Council Bluffs for
   two brownfields assessment grants. Grant funds
   will be used to conduct Phase I and II environ-
   mental site assessments, and plan for the cleanup
   of sites contaminated with hazardous substances
   or petroleum in the South Main Brownfields
   Project Area. Funds will also be used to conduct
   community outreach activities and a health study
   of target 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 7 Brownfields Team
  913-551-7646
  http://www.epa.gov/Region7/citizens/brownfields/
  index.htm
  Grant Recipient: City of Council Bluffs, IA
  712-328-4629
  The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
  yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
  in this fact sheet are subject to change.
the South Main target area is about 18 percent lower
than the state average, and 11 percent have annual
incomes below the poverty line. The city plans to
develop the area for mixed uses, which will generate
economic opportunity for those seeking employment. It
also is expected to create commercial, retail, and
housing alternatives that complement adjacent neigh-
borhoods and contribute to their sustainability. The city
also plans to develop responses to the health risks
posed to residents.
                                                  Solid Waste and
                                                  Emergency Response
                                                  (5105T)
                         EPA560-F-05-115
                         May 2005
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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