&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Brownfields and
Land Revitalization Program Impacts
EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program invests in communities across the nation, often providing the initial seed
money that encourages brownfields reuse, and attracts leveraging. Since 2002, the program has provided communities with
grants and technical assistance that helps them tackle the range of environmental health and economic challenges caused
by brownfield properties.
EPA's upfront investments enable communities to overcome uncertainties associated with taking the first steps towards
brownfield redevelopment. Many critical initial questions — such as whether a property is contaminated, what redevelopment
options are both supported by the community and plausible given available resources, and how a property can be cleaned
up and safely reused — can be informed using EPA's resources. When these initial questions are answered, investing in
redevelopment becomes less risky, and potentially more attractive, for other investors.
EPA's resources can assist communities in quantifying and addressing the inherent risks of brownfields redevelopment.
When the risks are known or reduced, the potential return on property investment most likely will increase. This increased
potential return on investment can create opportunities for community revitalization.
Uncertainties Surrounding Brownfields Present Challenges to Communities
Many commercial, industrial and even some residential properties may be environmentally contaminated due to past or
current uses at the properties. These brownfields often pose health and safety hazards and can be difficult to reuse - even for
properties in attractive locations such as a downtown district, commercial corridor, job center, or along a waterfront.
Across the U.S., municipalities, states and tribes frequently struggle with how to safely address and redevelop the brownfields
within their jurisdictions. The uncertainties surrounding whether — and to what degree — environmental contamination
exists on a property contribute to disinvestment and blighted conditions. These brownfield conditions add stress to the local
economy, environment, and social well-being.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHALLENGES
The health and safety of
people and animals can be
at risk if a property presents
exposure to environmental
contaminants. If not
addressed, contamination
can spread to nearby
properties as well.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
When property owners and potential
investors suspect a property is
contaminated, they may fear they will
be held liable for past contamination.
This concern may discourage
prospective owners and investors
from investing in brownfields,
until additional information on
property characteristics and
potential contamination is known.
Until a brownfield is properly
characterized, it may be passed over
for redevelopment.
SOCIAL CHALLENGES
Over time, a neglected property
may become an eyesore,
contributing to neighborhood
blight and social decline. Blighted
properties can weaken local real
estate markets, add stress to
community social ties, and make
it difficult for the community
to attract needed services and
investment.
With EPA's help, communities can begin to address the economic, social and environmental
challenges caused by brownfields and reposition these properties for investment and revitalization.

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Empowering Communities with Resources
We help communities by
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Our Program Accomplishments
As of October 2020
Properties
Assessed
32,515
Jobs Leveraged
170,724
9.4 jobs were leveraged per $100,000
of EPA brownfields funds spent on
assessment and cleanup activities
Dollars Leveraged
$33.65 Billion
$20.13 was leveraged for each $1 of
EPA brownfields funds spent on
assessment and cleanup activities
Our Environmental Workforce Development
and Job Training Program Gets Results!
17,855
Students trained
in environmental/
brownfields related jobs
* * •
©
13,294
Placed in full-time
employment
Average Wage
Earned
9
74%
Placement Rate
Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program Impacts | 3

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Brownfields Reuse Benefits Local Communities


5-15.2% $29-97M 73-80% 25-33% 9-10%
% Increase in
Residential Property
Values
Additional Tax
Revenue
% Decrease in
Impervious
Surfaces
% Decrease in
% Decrease in
Jobs-Related Vehicle Residential Vehicle
Miles Traveled
Miles Traveled
Sources: https://www.epa.eov/brownfields/brownfields-proeram-environmental-and-economic-benefits
11-13%
of expected
jobs and
housing
growth can be
accommodated
on brownfield
sites
Brownfields Can
Accommodate Expected
Jobs/Housing Growth
FINDING: A study completed for EPA in
2020 looked at brownfield redevelopment
opportunities in 50 metro areas. The study
found 11-13 % of the jobs and housing
growth expected between 2013-2030 could
be supported on brownfield sites.
Location, Location, Location!
FINDING: Brownfields in metro areas
are often "location-efficient" due to
their central location and connections
to existing infrastructure.
Typically, brownfields are centrally located in metro areas with
good connections to local infrastructure, including roadways and
stormwater utilities.
The ability to reuse existing infrastructure is an important advantage
to brownfields redevelopment. This reduces expenses and prevents
further environmental degradation, as new infrastructure to support
development would not be needed.
Brownfields are often near other metro services and amenities, such
as job centers, shopping, schools, health centers, transit and housing.
Often, individuals drive less when living or working in a metro area
because they have many choices for transportation (such as walking,
biking, bus, train, ride share, etc). When individuals drive less, their
cars emit less air pollutants - which makes a big difference to our
environment!
Learn More About
Our Program
Check out our website at:
https://www.epa.aov/brownfields/
understandina-brownfields
Get in touch with the
brownfields and land revitalization
program near you
(EPA Regions or Headauartersl
Office of Land and Emergency Management (5105T) | EPA-560-F-20-187 | December 2020 | www.epa.gov/brownfields/
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