5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Washington, GA 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 Washington was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located in Wilkes County, Washington (population 4,295) had relied on a manufacturing base established in the 1970s. During the 2001 recession, the city lost one-third of its manu- facturing jobs as a result of two large plant closures. Washington is considered a tourism area because of its large number of historic resources. It is in the process of being named a Regional Welcome Center by the state. However, many of the city's brownfields are located adjacent to or along the route to many of these historic places. Impressions are critical to the tourism industry, and the presence of brownfields could keep tourists from visiting the city. Washington's population is 60.7 percent African-American, and 23 percent of the city's population lives below the poverty level. Assessment Grant $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Washington for a brownfields assessment grant. Petroleum grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize sites, conduct Phase I and II environmental site assessments in Washington's downtown area, and implement a health monitoring program. Commu- nity outreach also will be conducted. 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 Washington, GA 706-678-3277 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. Assessment of brownfields will serve as a catalyst for an overall revitalization effort in the city. Redevelop- ment in the downtown area will create new business opportunities, public spaces, and housing consistent with smart growth principles. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-07-188 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |