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Brownfields 2007
Grant Fact Sheet
Steelton, 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 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 Borough of Steelton was selected to receive a
brownfields assessment grant. Located along the
Susquehanna River in Dauphin County, Steelton
(population 5,858) grew around a steel mill. At the
height of the industry, Steelton's population was
greater than 16,000, and the mill employed more than
9,000 workers. Today, the steel mill employs about
600 workers. The sharp decline in employment has led
to a dwindling population and a weakened tax base.
Steelton's unemployment rate exceeds the county's
rate, and its median household income is less than
county and state incomes. More than 31 percent of
borough residents are minorities. With the exception
of the central 412-acre mill site, industrial properties
are scattered throughout Steelton. They often abut
Assessment Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the Borough of Steelton for a
brownfields assessment grant. Hazardous sub-
stances grant funds will be used to identify and
prioritize brownfields sites, and conduct Phase I
and II environmental site assessments at up to
five sites. Grant funds also will be used to
conduct a human health-based risk assessment,
and 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 3 Brownfields Team
215-814-3129
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bfs/index.htm
Grant Recipient: Borough of Steelton, PA
717-939-9842, ext. 13
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.
residential neighborhoods, day care centers, and parks.
Brownfields pose health and safety risks to residents
and negatively impact property values. Assessment of
these sites will increase awareness of environmental
challenges and allow the borough to identify cleanup
strategies and costs. Redevelopment will inject new
economic vitality into the borough and help bring a
sense of community pride into Steelton's neighbor-
hoods.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-07-169
May 2007
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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