5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Wall of America Foundation, Winsted, CT 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 Wall of America Foundation was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. The Wall of America Foundation is a non-profit organization located in the City of Winsted (population 11,215) in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Winsted is a tradi- tional New England mill town. Historic mill operations, most located along riverbanks, have left behind a legacy of environmental degradation. Winsted has identified 16 brownfields in the city's commercial and residential core. These sites have contributed to the city's negative growth rate, high unemployment rate, Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Wall of America Foundation for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the 2.2-acre Whiting Hosiery Company site at 100 Whiting Street. Since the early 1990s, the site has been used for industrial uses, including mill and chemicals storage, motorcycle repair, and wood- working. It is contaminated with volatile organic compounds. Grant funds will be used to excavate and dispose of contaminated soil and to support community involvement 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 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/ Grant Recipient: Wall of America Foundation, CT 860-364-0156 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. low per capita income, and blighted neighborhoods. The target site is located less than half a mile from two day care centers and about a quarter mile from a senior center. Cleanup of the site will reduce blight and remove potential hazards from the community. The Wall of America Foundation plans to redevelop the site to incorporate a national art exhibit as a tribute to working people in the United States, and a visitors center. This redevelopment is expected to increase Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-07-187 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- tourism, generate jobs, and create a cultural gathering place that offers educational opportunities for children and adults. ------- |