Brownfields 2010 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, PA EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states. communities, and other stakeholders 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. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country cleanup and revitalize brownfields sites. Under this 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 Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Philadelphia (population 1,447,395) has a rich and vibrant history, but has faced a steady loss of population and industry since World War II. This major metropolitan center contains sites historically used by industries as diverse as paint manufacturers, printing facilities, shipyards, scrap metal sites, and munitions factories. Many of these sites are now abandoned and potentially contaminated. Residents impacted by the social, economic, and potential health effects of these abandoned properties often are minorities. Approximately 43 percent of city residents are African-American, and more than 24 percent of residents have incomes that are below the poverty level. The current unemployment rate is above the national average. Assessment of brownfields is expected to facilitate the cleanup and reuse of sites and remove barriers to revitalizing the city"s economy. Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for a brownfields assessment grant. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct four Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments in multiple target locations throughout the city. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities and cleanup planning. 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 (http://www.epa.gov/brownfields). EPA Region 3 Brownfields Team (215)814-3129 EPA Region 3 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bf -Ir) Grant Recipient: Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development,PA 215-596-8142 The information presented in this fact sheet comes from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The cooperative agreement for the grant has not yet been negotiated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20450 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-10-059 April 2010 ------- |