Brownfields 2001 Revolving Loan Fund Pilot Fact Sheet Raleigh, NC EPA Brownfields Initiative 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. 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. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Background Raleigh has developed into a hub of high-technology growth over the last several years thanks to its location in the Research Triangle Region. Because of its high standard of living and economic prosperity, Raleigh has been rated one of the best places to live in America. However, many areas in Raleigh have not benefitted from the City's overall prosperity. New development occurs on the City's periphery, in areas such as North Raleigh. Areas such as Southeast and Downtown have been forgotten and are largely vacant and underutilized. These areas have been designated by North Carolina as Development Zones and are the target of the BCRLF program. Several Census Tracts within this area have poverty rates of 45% or higher, while the general area has a poverty rate of 21%. Pilot Snapshot Date of Announcement: 04/01/2001 Amount: $1,000,000 Profile: Southeast and Downtown Raleigh 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 Raleigh,NC (919) 890-3664 Objectives The objective of the Raleigh BCRLF is to clean up properties in Southeast and Downtown Raleigh. By targeting the Development Zones, the City hopes to increase the reach of its current redevelopment and cleanup programs. In addition, redeveloping brownfields in these areas will curb urban sprawl and enhance inner city economic prosperity by encouraging businesses to locate near the urban core. The BCRLF program will help Raleigh continue its efforts to facilitate equitable, environmentally sustainable economic development, increase the quality of employment opportunities, and improve the lives of residents in lower-income and minority areas. Activities Fund Structure and Operations The City's Planning Department will serve as the lead agency, and the City's Community Development Department will be the fund manager. The site manager has yet to be identified. It is likely that the Army Corps United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20450 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA500-F-01-246 Apr 01 ------- of Engineers (Wilmington District) will fill this role. The City of Raleigh will give priority to borrowers that will provide goods and services to local residents and employ local residents in quality jobs. Businesses operating within the Development Zones are eligible for state tax credits. BCRLF loan recipients may also apply for a loan through the Small Business Success Program and the Facade Grant program. Other sources of funding for cleanup of contaminated sites will come from the private sector. The City will likely assist with outreach efforts to encourage community involvement and inform potential applicants of the fund availability, process, and requirements. Use of BCRLF Pilot funds must be in accordance with CERCLA, and all CERCLA restrictions on use of funding also apply to BCRLF funds. 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) EPA500-F-01-246 Apr 01 ------- |