5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Freeport, IL 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 City of Freeport was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in the histori- cally industrial region of northern Illinois about 15 miles from the Wisconsin border, Freeport (population 26,433) has an economy built on manufacturing and heavy industry. With the decline of these industries, many properties are now vacant or underused. The poverty rates among minority residents in the city range from 26 to 36 percent. Unemployment among African-Americans is 20 percent. Freeport is focused on the redevelopment of brownfields in the East Side and Rawleigh Corridor, a major downtown economic center. The East Side contains a mix of aging housing and closed industrial facilities. East Side residents have expressed concern about environmental contami- Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Freeport for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct up to five Phase II environmental site assessments. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct up to six Phase II environmental site assessments. Funds from both grants will be used to support community outreach 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 5 Brownfields Team 312-886-7576 http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/ Grant Recipient: City of Freeport, IL 815-235-8221 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. nation in their neighborhood. Assessment of brownfields in these two areas will remove a barrier to the redevelopment needed to expand business opportu- nities, create jobs, and spur private investment. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-07-054 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |