5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment, Inc., Benton Harbor, Ml 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 Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment, Inc., was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. It is located in Benton Harbor (population 10,851) in western Michigan on Lake Michigan, within Berrien County. The county is a former manufacturing hub that has experienced a significant decline in industrial production. Abandoned industrial facilities are concen- trated in Benton Harbor, which contains the second largest number of brownfields in Michigan. The Cleanup Grant $194,850 for hazardous substances EPA has selected Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment, Inc., for a brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the former Superior Steel site at 411 Graham Avenue, which is contaminated with metals and poly- nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. The site was a steel and malleable iron foundry from 1917 to 1978. Funds also will be used for community outreach. 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: Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment, Inc., MI 269-926-6688 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. median household income in Benton Harbor is less than half the county average, and 42.6 percent of residents live in poverty. The city's median per capita and household incomes are both less than half the national average. Brownfields pose health risks through soil and groundwater exposure, especially for young children and teenagers who use the sites for recreation. Brownfields also are eyesores and barriers to otherwise highly desirable waterfront locations. When the brownfields are cleaned up, they will be part of the mixed-use Harbor Shores development project, which will include new residential units, commercial develop- ment, a golf course, and marina. Brownfields redevel- Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-06-115 May 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- opment will capitalize on the community's greatest asset: its waterfront. It will increase the tax base, create jobs and tourism-based economies, and provide train- ing, employment, education, and community growth for those with the greatest need. ------- |