I 'O UJ O Brownfields 2004 Grant Fact Sheet Ranson, WV 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, the President 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. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response pro- grams through a separate mechanism. Community Description The City of Ranson was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. The combined popula- tion of the cities of Ranson and Charles Town is 6,100, and approximately 15 percent of the residents living within walking distance of the Commerce Corridor target area live in poverty. The minority population in the two communities is approximately 20 percent, twice the rate of the broader Jefferson County area. Low- to moderate-income sections of both cities with mixed African-American and Hispanic populations are situated adjacent to the brownfields sites. The two communities have made progress toward revitalization of the Commerce Corridor. A new business recently Assessment Grant $145,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Ranson for a brownfields assessment grant. Grant funds will be used to perform three Phase I and seven Phase II site assessments in the Commerce Corridor in the Cities of Ranson and Charles Town. Grant funds also will be used to develop cleanup and reuse plans for up to seven sites and to continue the cities' community outreach efforts. 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 3 Brownfields Team 215-814-3129 http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bfs/index.htm Grant Recipient: Ranson, WV 304-725-1010 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, the activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. moved in, bringing 66 new jobs, with the prospect of up to 330 more, to the area. Assessment and cleanup of the target sites are expected to help the cities continue their progress. Redevelopment plans along the Com- merce Corridor include the county's first multiplex theater, new county office facilities, a technology center, a retail area, parkland and soccer fields. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-04-087 June 2004 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |