Brownfields 2011 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet Ranson, WV 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 Ranson was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Ranson (population 4,700) and Charles Town (population 4,600) are adjacent small cities that comprise the urban center of Jefferson County, located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The 35 to 40 brownfield sites in the area are in the Commerce Corridor, which is at the heart of the two cities. In Ranson, the individual poverty rate is more than double the national average, and per capita and median household income levels are lower than national levels. During the past several years, Ranson has lost more than 1,500 jobs and several major employers. The former Kidde Fire Fighting Foundry site, situated less than a quarter mile from Ranson's city hall, is one of the most significant brownfields in the Commerce Corridor. The site may have contaminated the Evitts Run Creek. When the site is cleaned up, the city plans to redevelop it as Powhatan Place, an integral part of Ranson's downtown revitalization plan. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Ranson for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the former Kidde Fire Fighting Foundry at 215 North Mildred Street. The currently vacant 5.5-acre site operated as a brass and aluminum foundry that manufactured fire suppression equipment. The site is contaminated with heavy metals and inorganic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used for 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 3 Brownfields Team (215)814-3129 EPA Region 3 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bf-lr) Grant Recipient: City of Ranson,WV 304-725-1010 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) E PA 560-F-128-034 May 11 ------- |