HI
                            C3
 Brownfields  2003

 Grant Fact Sheet

       Roc/c Island,  IL



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. Additionally,
funding support is provided to state and tribal response
programs through a separate mechanism.

Community Description

The City of Rock Island was selected for a
brownfields cleanup grant.  Located on the Mississippi
River, the city has faced a steady decline in population
since 1960, due primarily to the closing of industrial
plants. The city is targeting the Midway site, a former
fueling station, bulk petroleum storage facility, and
warehouse. The Midway site is contaminated by
petroleum products from underground storage tanks
and contains four structures that have been vacant for
more than a decade. The brownfields target area has
a population of 2,400, and 24 percent live below the
poverty level. Unemployment is almost double the city
average. More than 18 percent of the target area's
residents are Hispanic, and total minority population is
almost 30 percent. Following cleanup, this site and
   Cleanup Grants
   $95,750 for petroleum

   EPA has selected the City of Rock Island for a
   brownfields cleanup grant. Petroleum funds will be
   used to conduct cleanup activities at the Midway
   site, a former fueling station, bulk petroleum storage
   facility, and warehouse. The property is contami-
   nated by petroleum products from leaking under-
   ground storage tanks.
   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 Rock Island, IL
   309-732-2920

   Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the City
   of Rock Island 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.
several others will become the Sylvan Slough Natural
Area, a demonstration site for "Retain the Rain," a
water-runoff reduction program designed to reduce
pollutants entering the Mississippi River.
                                                   Solid Waste and
                                                   Emergency Response
                                                   (5105T)
                         EPA500-F-03-175
                         June 2003
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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