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Brownfields 2003
Grant Fact Sheet
Fitchburg Redevelopment
Authority, MA
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
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. Addi-
tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal
response programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority was selected
to receive an assessment grant. Fitchburg (population
39,000) is an old industrial mill city that is facing a
difficult transition into the new economy. Unemploy-
ment and poverty levels are higher than state and
national averages. The rehabilitation of brownfields into
modern centers of employment and commerce will be
a magnet for investment by the private sector and for
the creation of high-paying jobs. The redevelopment
authority is focusing its brownfields efforts on 224
acres in Fitchburg's blighted downtown. Ten sites have
been identified that are critical to revitalization of the
city's urban core, the preservation of open space, and
the creation of a bike path along the Nashua River.
Assessment Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the Fitchburg Redevelopment
Authority for a brownfields assessment grant.
The redevelopment authority will use grant funds
to assess ten brownfield sites with high redevel-
opment potential and that have real or perceived
environmental concerns that have discouraged
private-sector redevelopment. Grant funds also
will be used to develop an inventory of
brownfields within the city and to conduct
community outreach.
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
617-918-1210
http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/
Grant Recipient: Fitchburg Redevelopment
Authority, MA
978-345-9602
Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the
Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority has not received
brownfields grant funding. The City of Fitchburg has
received brownfields funding for an assessment grant.
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been
negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet
are subject to change.
The redevelopment authority is involving neighborhood
residents and businesses in the process of redeveloping
Fitchburg's brownfields.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 500-F-03-093
June 2003
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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