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Brownfields 2007
Grant Fact Sheet
Progressive Church,
Marrero, LA
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 Progressive Church was selected to receive a
brownfields cleanup grant. Located in Jefferson
Parish, Marrero (population 36,165) grew around
industrial development along the Mississippi River.
More than 16 percent of families and nearly 20 percent
of individuals in Marrero live below the poverty level.
The city's per capita and median household incomes
are below the national averages. Many potential
brownfield sites are located throughout the commu-
nity, especially along 4th Street, which parallels the
Mississippi River. The targeted site has been vacant
since 2005. Site cleanup will reduce a significant
health hazard to the neighboring residential and
1
Cleanup Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the Progressive Church for a
brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances
grant funds will be used to clean up the approxi-
mately 18-acre Progressive Church site located at
6539 4th Street in Marrero. The site was used as
a junkyard. Site soil is contaminated with inor-
ganic hazardous substances. Grant funds also will
be used to support 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 6 Brownfields Team
214-665-6780
http://www.epa.gov/region6/brownfields
Grant Recipient: Progressive Church, LA
504-347-0270
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.
commercial areas. Cleanup will allow redevelopment
of the site into a Family Life Center, a school and day
care facility, and an affordable senior housing center.
These facilities are expected to create 150 new jobs,
with an emphasis on job training and advancement.
Redevelopment is also expected to increase surround-
ing property values and catalyze community revitaliza-
tion.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-07-136
May 2007
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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