Brownfields 2010 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Brunswick, GA 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 City of Brunswick was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Brunswick (population 15,600) is considered the "Gateway to the Golden Isles" because thousands of tourists travel through the area each year on their way to the Georgia coast. Years of population and economic decline have left the city with run-down housing, abandoned and dilapidated brownfields, and a tarnished impression. A previous assessment identified 20 priority brownfield sites within the targeted redevelopment corridors, including abandoned gas stations, former auto body repair shops, and manufacturing facilities. The city's median household income is significantly lower than the state and national medians. About 30 percent of residents live below the poverty level. Current economic conditions have significantly impacted the city budget, which has been cut by 30 percent in the last year. Brownfield assessments will help clarify contamination concerns and are expected to bring stakeholders into the brownfields process to ensure that potential threats are adequately addressed. Assessment Grant $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Brunswick for a brownfields assessment grant. Community-wide petroleum grant funds will be used to prioritize potential brownfields and conduct up to 12 Phase I and six Phase II environmental site assessments along selected redevelopment corridors within the city. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities and cleanup planning. 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 4 Brownfields Team (404) 562-8792 EPA Region 4 Brownfields Web site (http: //www. epa.gov/region4/waste/bf) Grant Recipient: City of Brunswick, Georgia (912)267-5530 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) EPA560-F-10-186 Apr 10 ------- |