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  Brownfields  2006

  Grant  Fact  Sheet

             Kent,  OH


EPA Brownfields Program

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders 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 Kent was selected to receive a brownfields
assessment grant. Located in northeast Ohio, just
outside of Akron, Kent (population 27,906) has
developed around industrial manufacturing and its
relationship with Kent State University. As traditional
high-paying manufacturing jobs have been lost, there
has been an increase in service-sector positions, which
are associated with lower wages. While the city has a
relatively low unemployment rate, 15 percent of Kent
families live in poverty. The city is partnering with the
university to encourage high-quality manufacturing,
high-tech businesses, and technology transfer opportu-
nities. To preserve greenspace and recruit and retain
downtown investment, brownfields must be addressed.
Revitalized brownfields will be used for small busi-
ness expansion, recreation facilities, and attractions
 Assessment  Grant
 $200,000 for petroleum

 EPA has selected the City of Kent for a
 brownfields assessment grant. Petroleum grant
 funds will be used for conducting community
 outreach, inventorying and prioritizing sites, and
 conducting five to six Phase I and from three to
 five Phase II environmental site assessments.
 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/R5 Brownfields/

 Grant Recipient: City of Kent, OH
 330-678-8108

 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
 yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
 in this fact sheet are subject to change.
that will bring residents and tourists to the central
business district. Brownfields redevelopment will
increase tax revenues, provide high-quality jobs,
increase services to residents and tourists, and provide
benefits to the economy and the environment.
                                                  Solid Waste and
                                                  Emergency Response
                                                  (5105T)
                         EPA560-F-06-133
                         May 2006
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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