Q \ Brownfields 2005 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet / Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport, LA 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 Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. The foundation is in the process of creating a science park for technology-based business in the City of Shreveport (population 200,145). The census tracts in the target area of downtown Shreveport have minority populations of between 77 and 88 percent, poverty rates of 41 to 47 percent, and average per capita incomes of approximately $10,400. The target site is in a severely disadvantaged area, surrounded by ten neighborhoods that are eligible for community development block grants. Cleanup of the site will help prevent releases of contaminants, thereby eliminating potential risk to the community. Redevelopment of the property will help complete the core of the science park's Tech Center. A new manufacturing and drug discovery firm, currently located opposite the Sproull property, intends to expand operations to the site, with plans to build an 85,000-square-foot facility and employ 200 people. This science park redevelopment is part of a 25-year plan that, when completed, will provide employment for 6,000 people and generate millions in tax revenues. The foundation estimates that approximately 40 percent of the jobs created will require only a high school degree, making them available to the target community. Cleanup Grant $85,955 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana for a brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be used for community outreach activities, cleanup planning, and cleanup activities at the former Sproull Property at Kings Highway and Mansfield Road in Shreveport. The cleanup will involve abatement of asbestos-contaminated materials and vacant structures on the property. 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 6 Brownfields Team (214) 665-6780 EPA Region 6 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/region6/bro wnfields ) Grant Recipient: Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana (318) 675-4105 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-05-201 May 2005 ------- |