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Brownfields  2005
 Grant  Fact  Sheet
         Monson,  MA
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 Town of Monson was selected to receive a
brownfields cleanup grant. Monson (population 8,359)
is a small town in southwestern Massachusetts just
north of the Connecticut state line. Over the years,
Monson has evolved from an agricultural community to
a mill/industrial community, and then, to a residential
suburb. The decline of industry in the town has left
behind a blighted area of vacant buildings, increased
unemployment, and a shift to a lower-paying, service-
oriented labor force. The lack of public transportation
exacerbates these problems, as residents are forced to
seek employment elsewhere and commute. The
increasing number of families living in poverty and
seniors eligible for social programs and services, along
with the rapid growth in the number and cost of
   Cleanup Grant
   $200,000 for hazardous substances
   EPA has selected the Town of Monson for a
   brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be
   used to conduct community outreach activities,
   plan remediation, and implement soil and ground-
   water cleanup at the former South Main Street
   School property. The property served as home to
   the Dan Wesson Arms Facility from 1978 to the
   early 1990s. Contamination at the site is attributed
   to the gun plating operations that took place at the
   arms facility.
   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 1 Brownfields Team
   617-918-1221
   http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/
   Grant Recipient: Town of Monson, MA
   413-267-4100

   The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
   yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
   in this fact sheet are subject to change.
residential properties, has put a tremendous burden on
the town's finances and taxpayers. Cleanup and
redevelopment of the former South Main Street School
will turn a centrally-located property into affordable
housing within close proximity to community services,
shopping, and recreational facilities. Redevelopment of
this property is expected to anchor revitalization of the
entire downtown area, bring beneficial tax revenue to
the town, and send a positive message to the develop-
ment community, thereby further encouraging private
investment.
                                                  Solid Waste and
                                                  Emergency Response
                                                  (5105T)
                         EPA560-F-05-015
                         May 2005
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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