5 o T> Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet North Adams, 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 this 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. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The City of North Adams was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located along the Hoosic River in northwestern Massachusetts, North Adams (population 14,691) was originally settled as amilitary and trading post. The city became a mill town once water power from the river was harnessed. After World War II, the city's economy began to decline as many key industries either closed or relocated. In 1985, the city's remaining major industrial employer closed, resulting in the loss of more than 4,000 jobs and causing a major downturn in the city's economy. Since then, the city has diversified and attracted new indus- tries and commercial ventures to the area, but its economy is still struggling to recover. North Adams is a federally designated Empowerment Zone. More than 58 percent of residents are considered low-income, and Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of North Adams for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the 1.9-acre former Berkshire Tannery site on Ashton Avenue in the Blackinton neighborhood. The site was used for tannery operations from the early 1900s to the 1980s. Site soil and groundwater are contaminated with metals and volatile organic compounds. 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 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/regionl/brownfields Grant Recipient: City of North Adams, MA 413-662-3011 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. the city's employment rates and per capita incomes are below statewide rates. There are 92 known hazardous release sites in North Adams. Once cleanup of the target site is complete, the city antici- pates redevelopment with residential housing or as greenspace. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-08-016 April 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |