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Brownfields 2003
Grant Fact Sheet
Sebring, OH
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 Village of Sebring was selected to receive an
assessment grant. Sebring is a working class town with
a deteriorated downtown district and brownfields sites
that negatively impact its image. Sebring (pop. 223,000)
is located in a predominantly agricultural area that was
once known as the "pottery capital of the world." The
village employed as many as 3,300 people during its
years as a pottery-making town, but when the pottery
industry died out in the 1960s many jobs were lost and
the total workforce now totals only 2,005 workers.
The properties slated for assessment once housed
pottery factories, and have been idle for many years.
Assessment Grant
$154,426 for hazardous substances *
EPA has selected the Village of Sebring for a
brownfields assessment grant. The funds will be
used to conduct Phase I and II environmental
site assessments for properties that once housed
pottery factories. Environmental concerns include
dumped residue from the pottery-making process,
including lead, arsenic, silica, uranium oxide, and
solvents. Grant funds will also be used for commu-
nity outreach and involvement.
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: Village of Sebring, OH
330-938-9340
Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the
Village of Sebring 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.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA500-F-03-182
June 2003
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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