Brownfields 2009 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Elkhart, IN 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 City of Elkhart was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located in northern Indiana, Elkhart (population 51,874) has a prominent industrial heritage dating back to the 1800s. As manufacturing declined in recent years, historic industries relocated or ceased operations, and older industrial properties were abandoned or are underused. The city has identified about 112 brownfields, including 67 hazardous substances brownfields and 10 condemned methamphetamine lab sites. More recently, downsizing and closings of Elkhart's numerous recreational vehicle plants have added to the economic downturn. Poverty and unemployment rates exceed those of the county and state. Assessment of brownfields is expected to facilitate site cleanup and redevelopment that will create jobs and increase tax revenues. Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Elkhart for a brownfields assessment grant. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory brownfields, and conduct 5 to 10 Phase I environmental site assessments, 3 to 5 clandestine methamphetamine lab assessments, and 5 to 15 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to perform community outreach activities. 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 5 Brownfields Team (312)886-7576 EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfiel ds) Grant Recipient: City of Elkhart,IN (574) 294-5471 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) EPA560-F-09-146 May 2009 ------- |