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Brownfields 2005
Grant Fact Sheet
Rock Falls, IL
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 Rock Falls was selected to receive a
brownfields assessment grant and two brownfields
cleanup grants. The target area is the Rock Falls
Riverfront Redevelopment Area, which maintains
access to, and views of, Rock River and its amenities.
Brownfields in Rock Falls (population 9,580) are
associated with disparate and devalued property in the
target community. In the redevelopment area, nearly
ten percent of the population lives below the poverty
level, and median household income is lower than the
state's median. In addition, Rock Falls has experienced
dramatic job losses over the past several years, most
notably with the closure of two corporations which
together left nearly 1,600 people unemployed. The
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Assessment Grant (SJl
$200,000 for hazardous substances*
EPA has selected the City of Rock Falls for a
brownfields assessment grant. Grant funds will be
used to conduct community involvement activities,
perform Phase I and II site assessments for sites
in the Rock Falls Riverfront Redevelopment Area,
and formulate cleanup plans.
Cleanup Grants
rT
$400,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Rock Falls for two
brownfields cleanup grants. Grant funds will be
used to clean up the abandoned Reliant Fastener
Company site at 210 East 2nd Street and the
former Northwestern Steel and Wire Company at
100 5th Avenue. Funds also will be used for
community outreach activities. Both sites have
been in operation since the late 19th Century.
Historical operations at both properties included
the storage and use of fuels, oils, lubricants,
solvents, and other hazardous materials associated
with their industrial 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: City of Rock Falls, IL
815-564-1366
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-05-184
May 2005
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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decline of the local economy has negatively affected
the lives of residents and left approximately 100 acres
of vacant and dilapidated industrial properties along the
riverfront. The revitalization of the Rock Falls
Riverfront Redevelopment Area will help the city
replace its waning industrial manufacturing sector with
a diversified mix of businesses that will result in a
sustainable local economy. Redevelopment will also
create open space, enhance property values, and
increase private investment.
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