^lDir'% * ^fl^b • SSK?1 Brownfields 2010 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet ^^ Lena'IL EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states. communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield 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. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country cleanup and revitalize brownfields sites. 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 Village of Lena was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in northwestern Illinois, Lena (population 2,887) is a rural community. The village"s historically industrial economy has left behind a legacy of abandoned and underused sites, including bulk petroleum plants, a feed mill, and lumber and coal yards. The demise of these industries and associated job losses have fueled the decline of the downtown district. Median home values in the village are as much as 32 percent lower than state and national medians, and the city"s per capita income is lower than the state and nation averages. Cleanup of the target site is expected to reduce threats to village residents from exposure to petroleum contaminants. After the site is cleaned up, the village plans to redevelop it as a mixed-use depot building with retail stores, a museum, and a train observation platform. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Village of Lena for a brownfields cleanup grant. Petroleum grant funds will be used to clean up the 1873 Lena Depot Restoration Project site on Main Street. The site is a former railroad property that contained a bulk petroleum plant and is contaminated with petroleum. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach 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 (http://www.epa.gov/brownfields). EPA Region 5 Brownfields Team (312)886-7576 EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields) Grant Recipient: Village of Lena,IL 815-369-4016 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 negotiated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20450 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-10-089 Apr 10 ------- |