SB, HI C3 Brownfields 2003 Grant Fact Sheet Rich land Center, I/I// 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. Abrownfield 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 City of Richland Center was selected to receive a revolving loan fund grant. The city (population 5,114) is the seat of Richland County, located within a Wisconsin Community Development Zone. To offset the impact of the area's declining farming and lumber operations and a decline in population, the city is pursuing the redevelopment of its old industrial area. Historically, Richland Center's old industrial corridor was the site of heavy industry and commercial operations. These facilities left a legacy of contamination, abandoned structures, and a deteriorating housing stock. The average income in the county is under $16,000, or 69 percent of the national average, and almost 13 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Cleanup and revitalization of the properties along the corridor is Revolving Loan Fund Grant $1,000,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Richland Center for a brownfields revolving loan fund grant. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which Richland Center will provide loans and subgrants to conduct cleanup activities. The city is focusing on cleanup and revitalization in a redevelopment corridor with widespread soil, surface water, and groundwater contamination. 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 Richland Center 608-647-6428 Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the City of Richland Center has not received brownfields grant funding. The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. expected to bring better housing and living conditions to the local residents, raise property values, and attract new businesses and jobs to the community. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA500-F-03-170 June 2003 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |