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Brownfields 2003
Grant Fact Sheet
Allegan, Ml
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. Additionally,
funding support is provided to state and tribal response
programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The City of Allegan was selected to receive a revolv-
ing loan fund grant. Allegan (population 4,838) is an
historic, predominantly rural, manufacturing community
located in southwestern Michigan. Because of its key
location on the Kalamazoo River, the city grew as a
lumber town and railroad stop in the late 1800s. By the
early 1900s, the city had evolved into a manufacturing
center. This prosperity left a legacy of abandoned and
idled industrial sites as the economic fortunes of the
city waned. The city is a designated low- to moderate-
income community with a per capita income of only
$ 17,075, which is 20 percent lower than the national
average. In order for the city to increase its tax
revenues, encourage economic development, and spur
job creation, it must clean up and redevelop the more
Revolving Loan Fund
Grant
New'
L2003/
$250,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Allegan for a
brownfields revolving loan fund grant. The grant
will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund
from which the city will provide loans and
subgrants to conduct cleanup activities. The city
also will use the grant to conduct community
involvement and outreach activities. Allegan will
focus grant funds on brownfields in the down-
town area that were identified through a previous
brownfields assessment grant.
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 5 Brownfields Team
312-886-7576
http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/
Grant Recipient: City of Allegan, MI
269-686-1102
Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the City
of Allegan has received brownfields funding for assessment
grants.
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been
negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet
are subject to change.
than 17 brownfields in the downtown area. Sites
include former manufacturing and lumber processing
facilities, former railroad storage and depot areas, and
former commercial establishments. This grant award
is crucial in leveraging the funds necessary to return
these sites to active use where they may spur smart
growth, prevent urban sprawl, and launch a long-
awaited revival within the city.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 500-F-03-043
June 2003
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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