^%Dar',% i O \ Brownfields 2003 Assessment and Revolving Loan Fund Grant Fact Sheet Baltimore Development Corporation, MD 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. 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 Baltimore Development Corporation was selected to receive assessment and revolving loan fund grants. The Baltimore Development Corporation is a part of the city's Department of Housing and Community Development. Baltimore, like many older eastern central cities, suffers from population loss, high rates of poverty and social ills, and decentralized employment. Almost two-thirds of city residents are minorities, and a quarter of city residents live in poverty. Most of the brownfields in the city are located in ten historically industrial areas that are concentrated along the waterfront, rivers, and railroad corridors. In many instances, residential areas are intermingled with older industrial areas, creating potential public health and environmental justice problems. In addition, abandoned and underused brownfields cost the city approximately $26 million in lost tax revenues. Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Baltimore Development Corporation for a brownfields assessment grant. Baltimore plans to develop an inventory and support community-wide assessment activities as well as some site-specific work. Grant funds also will be used to assess sites identified as priorities within the city's Digital Harbor Strategy and Mid-Atlantic Partnership for the Environment. The Digital Harbor Strategy focuses on redevelopment of the city's waterfront for community and scientific uses, and the Mid-Atlantic Partnership focuses on alleviating urban sprawl and its effects. Revolving Loan Fund Grant $1,000,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Baltimore Development Corporation for a brownfields revolving loan fund grant to make loans and subgrants to support cleanup efforts at three sites. The corporation plans to leverage additional financing for demolition and site preparation activities for the Brewer's Hill, Clipper Mill, and former White Paint Building. 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-lr) Grant Recipient: Baltimore Development Corporation,MD (410)837-9305 The information presented in this fact sheet comes United States c Environmental anri Fmpflpn™ EPA 500-F-03-051 nil- a ancl Emergency . __ Protection Agency Response (5105T) Jun 03 Washington, DC 20450 ^ v ' ------- 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 and Emergency Response (5105T) Solid Waste EPA 500-F-03-051 Jun 03 ------- |