Brownfields Success Story Forging a New Future in Steel Country Beech Bottom, West Virginia Beginning just after the turn of the 20th century and continuing throughout the heyday of American steel manufacturing, the RG Steel Plant churned out all manner of steel products in Beech Bottom, West Virginia. But after roughly 100 years of production, the historic plant ceased operations. In November 2012, the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle (BDQ obtained the property with plans to build a new industrial park. But environmental concerns-including asbestos in the existing buildings and potential soil and groundwater contamination—were standing in the way of development. The Cleanup In 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded BDC a Targeted Brownfield Assessment grant. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment evaluated the property and neighboring areas for contaminants. Phase II assessments consisted of constructing and sampling monitoring wells, soil borings, surface soil samples, sediment samples, surface water samples and one raw well water (process water) sample at the facility. These assessments were needed before cleanup activities could begin. The Benefits EPA funding was essential in remediating the site and, in turn, revitalizing the area and putting residents back to work. The 600-acre Beech Bottom Industrial Park attracted a number of tenants, some of whom were able to move in and begin working while remediation activities took place elsewhere on the site. BDC generated additional interest from companies representing the metals, transportation, energy and petrochemical industries that were looking to expand to the area following the cleanup. In total, more than $20 million in investments and approximately 700 jobs were created by remediating and redeveloping the site. &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency The Beech Bottom Industrial Park has generated more than $20 million in investments and approximately 700 jobs since redevelopment began in 2014. EPA Grant Recipient: Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle EPA Grant Type: Targeted Brownfields Assessment Former Use: Steel Manufacturing Current Use: Industrial Park C( By creating strong partnerships and making strategic investments, we have been able to diversify our economy, increase investments and reduce the unemployment rate. Pat Ford, Executive Director, Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle For more information: Visit the EPA Brownfields website at www.epa.gov/brownfields or contact Joe Nowak at 215-814-3303 or Nowak.Joseph@epa.gov. HRS ,S60» P;T?-216 October 20T? ------- |