Sffi HI C3 Brownfields 2003 Grant Fact Sheet Rutland Regional Planning Commission, VT 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 Rutland Regional Planning Commission was selected to receive an assessment grant. The popula- tion of the 26 communities in this rural region ranges from 300 to 4,300 residents. Only the City of Rutland, which has received a prior brownfields assessment grant, is excluded from the commission's regional grant. Rutland's economy has undergone a significant shift in the past thirty years as traditional industries have slowly disappeared due to changes in the economy. In particular, there has been a dramatic loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. Median household income in the area served by the commission is below state and national medians. With stagnant economies, many Vermont towns can barely afford basic services, Assessment Grant TNewl A2003J $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Rutland Regional Planning Commission for a brownfields assessment grant. Acting on the behalf of 26 member communities, the commission will conduct environmental assessments on sites selected through an inclu- sive community process. Grant funds also will be used to inventory sites in the member communi- ties and to conduct an outreach campaign to property owners, local residents, business groups, and other stakeholders. 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: Rutland Regional Planning Commission, VT 802-775-0871 Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission 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. such as education, healthcare, and snow removal. Brownfields redevelopment will help improve the long- term economic health of the region, create living-wage jobs, address housing shortages, and generate new recreational opportunities for tourism. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA500-F-03-177 June 2003 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |