5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Valley, AL 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 Valley was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located on the eastern border of Alabama, Valley (population 9,022) has depended on the textile industry since the late 1800s. Mills were located beside the Chattahoochee River, a major resource for the city. Since 2001, the city has lost about 1,500 jobs as textile plants have closed. The tax base has declined, and the city's per capita income is less than the state average. Brownfields in the city include large historic mill properties that could possibly contaminate the Chattahoochee River. When brownfields are assessed and cleaned up, the city anticipates they will be redeveloped for such uses as a farmers market, hotel and retail buildings, and recre- ational sites. Brownfields redevelopment will encour- age tourism, create jobs, and increase property values. Assessment Grant $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Valley for a brownfields assessment grant. Petroleum grant funds will be used to perform Phase I and II environmental site assessments. Funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities and a health monitoring program. 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 4 Brownfields Team 404-562-8792 http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/bf/index.htm Grant Recipient: City of Valley, AL 334-756-5228 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. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-07-185 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |