I w \ Brownfields 2006 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet North Brookfield, MA 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 Town of North Brookfield was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in central Massachusetts, the Town of North Brookfield (population 4,687) is a small rural community 25 miles west of Worcester. Only two large manufacturers are located in town, which provides very limited industrial and commercial business tax revenues. When Aztec Industries closed, the town lost 100 jobs and nearly $100,000 per year in tax revenues and sewer and water charges. This abandoned site is adjacent to residential homes and businesses, posing a potential health threat to the nearby community. By preventing contamination from migrating off-site, cleanup of this site will help remove that threat. Redevelopment of this one site, large enough to house multiple businesses, is expected to have a revitalizing effect on the entire community. Reuse of the site is expected to lead to the creation of new jobs and business opportunities for the community and increased tax revenues for the town. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Town of North Brookfield for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to finalize plans and clean up hazardous contamination at the 5.9-acre former Aztec Industries property. This abandoned site is located at 55 School Street in the heart of the town's business district. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community involvement 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 1 Brownfields Team (617) 918-1424 EPA Region 1 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/regionl/bro wnfields ) Grant Recipient: Town of North Brookfield,MA (508) 765-6263 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 c Environmental anri Fmpflpn™ EPA 560-F-06-207 Protection Agency Response (5105T) May 2006 Washington, DC 20450 Kesponse (si us ) ------- |