Questions about funding, redevelopment, or grant proposals? See our Frequently Asked Questions below and let us know if we can help your further.
What is a Brownfield?
In simple terms, a Brownfield is a vacant or under-utilized property that may be contaminated and has redevelopment potential.
How does EPA's Brownfield program benefit my town?
EPA's grant program provides funds to determine what type of contamination may be present at a property, funds to obtain community inout and plan redevelopment, funds to clean up eligible properties, and funds to help market the property. These steps help improve the health of the community, and create incentives for businesses and developers to consider your town's properties for their use, which in turn can create jobs and tax revenues for your town.
How do the States' Brownfield programs benefit private developers and businesses?
The States' Brownfield programs provide two primary benefits to participating developers and businessnes who are not responsible for the contamination present at a property and who have completed actions at the site as specified by the State : 1) indemnification from the State for requirements to conduct additonal corrective action, and 2) tax credits to help offset the cost of the project. These requirements and benefits vary by State. Contact us for more information or use this link to contact your State Brownfield representative.
Does EPA have a Brownfield website?
Yes, EPA's offers extensive on-line resources to learn more about the Brownfield program. This link will get you started.
Does my State have a Brownfield website?
Yes, most State's have on-line resources for you to learn more. This link provides a list of state contacts and websites for the Region 3 and Region 4 States in the Southeast US..
How can I learn more about writing a grant proposal?
Your local COG or RDC or Hart & Hickman can assist you in preparing your grant proposal to EPA. Importantly, EPA accepts proposals only in the Fall of each year (job training grants often precede assessment and cleanup grants). You should begin your proposal planning in the Summer months or sooner. To familiarize you with the proposal preparation and submittal process, please see this link to EPA grant writing workshop presentations and grant writing tutorials available on-line.
When do we have to submit our grant proposal to EPA?
Your local COG, RDC, or Hart & Hickman can assist you in preparing your grant proposal to EPA. Importantly, EPA accepts proposals only in the Fall of each year (job training grants often precede assessment and cleanup grants). You should begin your proposal planning in the Summer months or sooner. The grants are competitive and there are many applying for these funds, so it is important that you present the best information in the best way to distinguish your proposal from the many that are submitted. Contact us or your local COG or RDC if you would like help in determining the best path for completing your proposal.
How do I find Brownfield properties?
There is not a single database of Brownfield properties and those that do exist often do not distinguish between properties that are available for redevelopment, and those that have already been redeveloped. EPA is working towards a database, but local resources are your best bet. Your State may maintain a database of properties that have entered their Brownfield programs so you may wish to contact your State's Brownfield representative. Our Grantee Websites provide information on a number of Brownfield properties available for redevlopment in the the Southeast US. Use the map on our Home Page or see our listing of Grantee websites to view available Grantee properties in your area of interest.
Does our town have to own the property to receive a grant?
It is not a requirement for the City to own the property in order to receive an assessment grant. In fact, it is preferrred that the City submit a grant proposal for community wide assessments rather than for assessment of a single specific property.
In contrast, it is required that the City own the property if they are applying for a cleanup grant. Revolving loan funds can be used for cleanup of properties not owned by the City. Contact us or your EPA representative for more detail.
Can a private property owner benefit from the use their town's EPA grant funds?
Yes, this is a common scenario. The grantee may identify a privately owned property that they believe has good redevelopment potential. The City may invite that owner to allow the City to conduct assessment of the property in the hopes that their work will reduce uncertianty associated with environmental conditions at the site, and thereby make the property more attarctive to prospective developers or businesses. This also reduces the propsective buyer's due diligence cost since the assessment work is paid by the City with grant funds.
Does a private Brownfield developer have to involve EPA in their Brownfield efforts?
No, in fact most Brownfield projects are completed by working only with the State Brownfield Program regulators. These projects involve a prospective buyer/prospective developer that is interested in buying and redeveloping a Brownfield property and a willing seller. The buyer requests entry into the State's Brownfield program (fees, eligibility, and requirements vary by State) and executes a legally binding agreement to conduct the necessary assessment and corrective action to make the property safe for the intended re-use. In exchange, the buyer typically gets indemnifcation from the State for further action and receives tax credits to offset some of the cost of the project. Contact us or see the State links on this website to learn more about Brownfield requirements in your State.
Can a private developer benefit from the use of the City's grant funds?
Yes, this is a common scenario. A private developer can approach the City with an interest in a property and if the potential exists for environmental concern, the City can assist the developer in conducting their environmental due diligence, using the City's grant funds. This process is slower than the typical pace of a developers' due diligence efforts but it save on cost and also facilitates entering the property into the State's Brownfield program if that is desired. Contact us to learn how the City's funds can also be used beyond due diligence.
How do I choose an environmental consultant?
The terms of the EPA grant program require that Grantees issue a request for qualifications in order to select a consultant. Private developers may or may not solicit RFQs but can use similar criteria for their selection. Several key selection criteria include
• Primary focus of services provided by the firm as a whole
• Number of Brownfield developers or EPA brownfield assessment grantees served by the firm
• Number of Brownfield sites cleaned up with the firm’s direct involvement
• Number of Brownfield sites redeveloped with the firm’s direct involvement
• Number of staff experienced in Brownfield assessment and cleanup available to serve on your project