SB, HI C3 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 ------- |