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  Brownfields  2006

  Grant  Fact Sheet

        Worcester,  MA


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 Worcester was selected to receive a
brownfields cleanup grant. The third largest city in
New England, Worcester (population 172,648) can
attribute much of its success and growth to its indus-
trial heritage and manufacturing innovation. However,
it has experienced a steady decline in its manufactur-
ing base over the past three decades, which has
contributed to the physical deterioration of older
neighborhoods that once thrived on local industries
and businesses. Approximately 18 percent of the city's
residents live at or below the poverty level, and the
median household income is only 70 percent of the
state average. There are at least 200 brownfields in the
city, which contribute to blight and pockets of severe
distress in some neighborhoods. When the targeted
brownfield is cleaned up, it will be redeveloped  as a
  Cleanup Grant
  $156,300 for hazardous substances'
  $43,700 for petroleum

  EPA has selected the City of Worcester for a
  brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances
  and petroleum grant funds will be used to clean
  up the 11-acre former 3 Sons Trucking Company
  site at 65 Armory Street. The site is contaminated
  with petroleum and PCBs. Grant funds also will
  be used to conduct community involvement
  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 1 Brownfields Team
  617-918-1424
  http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/

  Grant Recipient: City of Worcester, MA
  508-799-1523

  The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
  yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
  in this fact sheet are subject to change.
mixed-use area with affordable housing, recreational
opportunities, and commercial and industrial develop-
ments. Redevelopment is expected to increase jobs,
improve neighborhood pride, and provide the city with
additional tax revenue.
                                                 Solid Waste and
                                                 Emergency Response
                                                 (5105T)
                          EPA560-F-06-213
                          July 2006
                          www.epa.gov/brownfields

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