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Brownfields 2008
Grant Fact Sheet
Washington County
Authority, PA
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 this 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 programs through
a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The Washington County Authority was selected to
receive three brownfields cleanup grants. Located in
southwestern Pennsylvania, Washington County
(population 206,432) developed around steel manufac-
turing and other heavy industries. The economic
impacts that accompanied the loss of industry in the
region were further complicated by the closing of the
Western Center State School and Hospital. The Center
provided critical social services in the area and em-
ployed hundreds of local residents. The county sold the
Center's farmlands for redevelopment into high-tech
businesses, upscale homes, and a golf course. The
remaining 221 acres represent the county's largest
Cleanup Grants
$550,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the Washington County Authority
for three brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous
substances grant funds will be used to clean up the
Old Dietary Building, Laurel Hall, and the General
Storeroom, all part of the former Western Center
at 333 Curry Hill Road. Grant funds also will be
used to develop cleanup plans and conduct post-
cleanup monitoring. Environmental concerns
include inorganic materials, solvents, and electrical
equipment components made with hazardous
materials.
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
Grant Recipient: Washington County Authority, PA
724-250-6418
The information presented in this fact sheet comes
from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the
accuracy of this information. The cooperative
agreement for the grant has not yet been negoti-
ated. Therefore, activities described in this fact
sheet are subject to change.
concentration of brownfields. The county plans to
redevelop the property with housing, cultural venues,
and greenspace. The cleanup sites are slated to
become part of the housing component of this develop-
ment. When completed, the project is expected to
create over 2,000 jobs and generate over $250 million
in revenues.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-08-058
April 2008
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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