Old News Items

2019 EPA Grant Guidelines (December 7, 2018)

For those that may be intending to apply for an EPA assessment/cleanup/multipurpose grant for the 2019 grant cycle, the EPA has published their grant guidelines, which can be found at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/solicitations-brownfield-grants. The deadline for grant applications to the EPA is January 31, 2019.

This is just a reminder that the EPA application requires a letter of support from the state Brownfields Agency be submitted with your application. Please let us know if you are planning to apply and we will be happy to draft a letter of support for your community. Items to Include in your request to us:

• Type of grant being applied for
• Addressee of county official (typically we will address whomever is submitting the grant to EPA)
• Key projects you intend to highlight in your grant application and if any of those projects are active in the DEQ Brownfields Program

Update to Brownfields Environmental Management Plan Complete (June 21, 2018)

The Brownfields Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been updated. The document is more user-friendly, and provides additional guidance on soil management and post-development reporting requirements. Most sections allow for additional comments to help explain the proposals, and have greater functionality. Notably, the EMP no longer requires that a separate Contingency Plan be attached. Most items traditionally covered in the Contingency Plan will be addressed directly within the EMP itself. Find the new EMP form under Statutes and Guidance. Feedback is always welcome!

December 1, 2016

WSOC News Airs Story On Brownfields

Mecklenburg County is the home of approximately 135 Brownfields Projects of the 409 completed projects completed in North Carolina.  Property Tax incentives for developers and property owners in part, provide encouragement to redevelop these properties and get them back to productive use.  See more about these win-win situations in Charlotte on WSOC’s news story on the Brownfields Program by following the link below.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/county-giving-giving-millions-in-tax-incentives-for-brownstone-properties/469267324

April 8, 2016

Revised BF Applications

The NC Brownfields Program has released an updated version of our application for entry into the program.  This revision includes an updated affidavit as well as a section to indicate interest in the Redevelopment Now or Ready For Reuse options of the Brownfields Program. 

This new application can be found here.

January 15, 2016 (updated March 24, 2016)

Public meeting planned for draft Enka Partners brownfields agreement

The N.C. Division of Waste Management has scheduled a public meeting for 6-8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Asheville Buncombe Community College to gather peoples' feedback on a proposed brownfields agreement in Asheville. Enka Partners has proposed redeveloping the property that once served as a landfill for recreational purposes, concessions, public restroom facilities, open space, greenways, parking and associated driveways.

To see the full notice of intent to redevelop the brownfields property, click here.

On March 24, 2016, the Division of Waste Management signed the brownfields agreement with Enka Partners. The signed agreement and related documents:

• Transmittal Letter
• Brownfields Agreement
• Notice of Brownfields Property
• Exhibit 2
• Exhibit C
• Site Location Map
• Response to Public Comments

November 3, 2015

EPA Provides Summary of Changes to 2016 Grant Guidance

A summary of changes to the EPA Fiscal Year 2016 Brownfields CERCLA 128(a) Grant Guidance Document can be accessed by clicking here.

November 3, 2015

EPA announces 2016 Request for Proposals - FY 2016 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grant Guidelines

The brownfields grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Opportunities for funding are as follows: Brownfields Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; Assessment Coalitions are funded up to $600,000 over three years), Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years), and Brownfields Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). The proposal submission deadline is December 18, 2015.

More information may be obtained by clicking here.

Grant writing tips can be found here.

November 2, 2015

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced it is soliciting applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs.

Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

EDA is employing a new two-phase review process for proposals/applications submitted under this FFO. There are no submission deadlines. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP FFO. Proposals will be reviewed by EDA within 30 days of receipt; and following the proposal review, full applications will be reviewed within 60 days of receipt. Please see Section IV. of the FFO for complete information on EDA's two-phase review process.

To see the FFO, click here.

For more detailed information, click here.

October 12, 2015

The Redevelopment Now Program is Accepting Applications

The NC Brownfields Program is accepting Redevelopment Now applications to the program. Please submit your application with your fee payment and the Consent Form.

October 2, 2015

The EPA Region 4 Brownfields Program invites you to participate in a Webinar focused on Applying for Cleanup Grants

The EPA Region 4 Brownfields Program will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 14th, 2015, which will focus on the process for applying for cleanup grants.

Topics to be covered are:

• Eligibility/Threshold Requirements
• Site Ownership
• All appropriate Inquiry (AAI)
• Grant Writing Tips
• Highlights from Susccessful Cleanup Grantees

The Webinar may be accessed by cliking here, or at the following link:

http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/r4bf/

Please contact the following individuals if you have questions prior to the webinar:

Brian Gross 404-562-8604, gross.brian@epa.gov

Keriema Newman 404-562-8859, newman.keriema@epa.gov

Camilla Warren 404-562-8519, warren.camilla@epa.gov

March 31, 2015

Brownfields 2015 Slated for September 2-4 in Chicago

Ever want to get inside the mind of a developer? Want to understand how environmental liability works, both within and outside of a brownfields context? Want to know what is important to lenders on brownfields projects? Community outreach and planning? Land banking? Leveraging investment? Going from grants to brick and mortar? Learning brownfields lessons from others who have lived it? Whether you are a brownfields veteran or a novice just becoming acquainted with redeveloping contaminated property, you will benefit by attending the greatest brownfields learning opportunity on earth when Brownfields 2015 comes to Chicago, September 2-4. Make your plans now!

October 23, 2014

Program Provides Template Fill-in Form for the Standard Environmental Management Plan

The Brownfields Program frequently requires an environmental management plan (EMP) in its brownfields agreements.  It is designed to ensure that there is an approved plan for handling contaminated media at the property during construction/development activities.  We have seen wide range of plans produced at various sites and are aware that there has been some uncertainty in environmental consultants producing these plans.   Our object in producing this template is to distill the plan into its most important components and make it as simple as a fill-in form.  Our goal is to both standardize and streamline Environmental Management Plans, ensuring that the data we need will be provided and reduce the number of review cycles required.  We hope this also reduces the overall cost to prospective developers, both in time and money. 

The plans can be found in our  Statute and Guidance  section of our Web site.   Please be advised that the plan should only be prepared at the request of your project manager.  This is important because not all plans will be produced at the same time&.at some projects it will be necessary only after completion of the brownfields agreement and some projects will need them prior to completion.  Also, not all sites will require such a plan.  Therefore, to avoid uncertainty and unnecessary work and reviews, the timing for producing such plans should be set by your project manager.   

The Program would like to thank all of the stakeholders who provided comments on this form as we produced it.  If you have any questions or comments about the Template, please check with your project manager.

August 7, 2014

ReVenture Park Receives U.S.EPA's "Excellence in Site Reuse" Award

ReVenture Park, Charlottes first Eco-Industrial Park, is located on a former 667-acre textile dye-manufacturing complex. It has become a national redevelopment model that can be duplicated on dormant industrial sites scattered throughout the country.  This once-shuttered manufacturing complex has been turned into a thriving hub of clean energy innovation and eco-friendly technologies. The U.S. EPA honored ReVenture Park with the Excellence in Site Reuse Award today during ReVentures public unveiling ceremony, attended by Governor Pat McCrory.

EPA Region 4 created the  Excellence in Site Reuse award to recognize those who have made outstanding efforts to reuse a Superfund site through cooperative efforts with EPA. Selected recipients have gone above and beyond to ensure sites are reused in a manner compatible with site remedies and that makes sites beneficial use possible for many years to come. Forsite Development, Inc. is being recognized for its commitment to safely and sustainably reuse a property along the Catawba River that was formerly contaminated by years of industrial operations.

Click  HERE for more information.

July 29, 2014

EPA is ANNOUNCING Availability of New FY 2015 Area-Wide Planning Grants

EPA is announcing the availability of funding to eligible entities who wish to develop an area-wide plan for brownfields assessment, cleanup, and subsequent reuse. This funding is for research, technical assistance, and/or training activities directed to one or more brownfield site(s) located in a specific area (such as a neighborhood, district, local commercial corridor, community waterfront or city block). Each project funded under this grant must result in an area-wide plan which includes specific plan implementation strategies for assessing, cleaning up, and reusing the brownfields site(s) as well as related brownfields and project area revitalization strategies. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 projects in total, funded at up to $200,000 each. Please note that applicants who received a Brownfield Area Wide Planning Grant (BF AWP grant) from EPA in Fiscal Year 2010 or 2013 (FY10 or FY13) are not eligible to apply under this competition. The proposal submission deadline is September 22, 2014.

• FY2015 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant Guidelines (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

EPA will provide two guidelines outreach webinars. The same information will be presented at each webinar. For information on how to join each webinar click  here. The Webinar times/dates are:

• July 30, 2014 from 12:30 - 1:30pm EDT
• August 14, 2014 from 2 - 3:00pm EDT

We are also pleased to share the following compilation of ideas and key lessons learned on brownfields area-wide planning (BF AWP), based on the experiences with 23 pilot communities. Included in this report are ideas, advice and examples on project approaches that the pilot communities found particularly useful, constructive and effective for helping AWP grantees successfully manage their process and develop a plan implementation strategy.

• Summary of BF AWP Pilot Ideas and Lessons Learned (PDF) 
• Full Report of BF AWP Pilot Ideas and Lessons Learned (PDF)

More information on EPAs BF AWP Grant program can be found on the  EPA Brownfields Website. 

May 28, 2014

EPA Selects 9 North Carolina Communities for New Brownfields Investment Grants to Boost Local Economics, Leverage Job Creation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that 171 communities nationwide were awarded 264 grants totaling $67 million in brownfields funding to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment.  Of these 171 grant-winning communities nationwide,  9 are in North Carolina.  These 9 communities will receive grants totaling $4 million in brownfields funding to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment.   The FY14 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) grants will give communities and businesses a chance to return economic stability to under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods through the assessment and clean-up of abandoned industrial and commercial properties, places where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed. 

The North Carolina communities receiving the FY14 grants are: Aberdeen; Dunn; High Point; Kinston;

Salisbury; Sanford; Wilmington; Wilson; and the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments. 

For more detailed information on these grants, go to the US EPA Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet Search webpage by clicking here.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/index.cfm

May 16, 2014

Announcing HUD Grants to Local Governments for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control (LBPHC) Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration (LHRD) Grant Program will award up to 30 grants for fiscal year 2014.

The overarching purpose of the LBPHC Grant Program and the LHRD Grant Program is to assist states, cities, counties/parishes, Native American Tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately owned rental or owner-occupied housing; the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program is targeted to urban jurisdictions with the greatest lead-based paint hazard control needs.

The closing date for applications is June 27, 2014.

For more detailed information, go to:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=255179

April 30, 2014

Vapor Intrusion Guidance

The Division of Waste Management (DWM) has developed guidance for environmental professionals and internal staff to assist in the investigation and evaluation of vapor intrusion at contaminated sites. 

This guidance is applicable anywhere a vapor intrusion investigation is warranted by a program in DWM, except for the Underground Storage Tanks (UST) Section. 

The DWM Vapor Intrusion Guidance document and associated screening level documents and tables have officially been released and are now available via a link on the DWM Home Page or can be found at:  

http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wm/dwm-new-vapor-guidance

June 25, 2013

USTs No Longer Carved Out of Brownfields Agreements

With the passage of House Bill 789 into  Session Law 2013-108, the Brownfields Property Reuse Act of 1997 has been amended such that underground storage tanks (USTs) are no longer carved out of the definition of a brownfields property. The Brownfields Program has previously completed many brownfields agreements on properties where USTs are located, but under the previous statutory provisions, any UST issues were carved out of these brownfields agreements, necessitating that prospective developers work with both the Brownfields Program (to address brownfields issues) and the UST Section (to address UST issues). However, this statutory change now allows DEQ to fold in all of the prospective developers requirements (both UST and non-UST issues) into a brownfields agreement. 

Prospective developers may want to work with the UST Section if they choose to seek reimbursement for activities under the Commercial or Non-commercial Trust Funds, or if they want to step into the shoes of the responsible party and obtain an incident closure decision from the regulatory program. However, in cases where a prospective developer does not plan to apply for reimbursement from the UST Trust Funds or seek incident closure for other liable parties, this statutory change may allow the prospective developer to avoid having to work with two separate programs to address the site. Either way, these approaches can now be incorporated directly into a brownfields agreement in order to facilitate UST site redevelopment.

March 11, 2013

Governor McCrory Announces Agreement Enabling Development of Regions Largest Eco-Industrial Park

Raleigh, N.C. - Today, Governor Pat McCrory and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary John Skvarla announced the signing of a brownfields agreement for ReVenture West. The agreement authorizes the development of the region's largest eco-industrial park on a former 667-acre Superfund site in Charlotte. 

This project is an extraordinary example of how public and private sectors can partner to benefit the economy and the environment, said Governor McCrory. This brownfields project will create jobs and allow us to transform a once highly contaminated site into a new and thriving energy-related complex. 

ReVenture West is the first of three redevelopment projects that will make up ReVenture Park, which is expected to become a unique hub for renewable energy projects and anticipated to generate more than 700 new jobs. 

Located in northwest Charlotte, ReVenture Park is the site of a former textile dye-manufacturing complex. In 1983, the site was determined to be contaminated enough to be placed on the federal Superfund list for cleanup.

At DEQ, our mission is to protect our states environment and natural resources while enhancing the quality of life for North Carolina's citizens, said Secretary John Skvarla. Thanks to the vision of the developers of ReVenture Park and the structure of our Brownfields Program, this project will allow us to reuse this land, protect the environment and create jobs.   

Clariant Corporation, the sites owner since 1985, ceased dye operations at the site in 2005 and has spent about $40 million cleaning up contamination mostly caused by previous owners. ReVenture Park is partnering with Clariant to enhance the cleanup activities at the site as it prepares the site for redevelopment.    

ReVenture West is expected to produce about 245 jobs, $73.5 million in investment and up to $12 million in environmental remediation. ReVenture East is expected to bring 485 jobs and $235 million in investment.    

Old, unused manufacturing facilities shouldn't be liabilities, said Tom McKittrick, president and founder of Forsite Development, Inc., and the lead developer for ReVenture Park. Developing an energy park on a dormant industrial complex is an opportunity where the private sector, public policy and environmental interests align to promote the clean energy economy. We are transforming liabilities into assets - the essence of recycling.   

Productive reuse of a property with such extensive regulatory history is rare because of the uncertainty in future cleanup liabilities. The brownfields agreement with ReVenture Park removes those uncertainties in a way that permits suitable redevelopment while continuing cleanup actions required to make the site safe for the proposed reuse.   

The entire eco-industrial park will include businesses devoted to manufacturing; alternative energy research and production; recycling and regeneration of materials; post-secondary vocational and training facilities; utilities and waste water treatment; agriculture for fuel production; composting and land conservation. The ReVenture project also will include a 177-acre conservation easement that connects the Carolina Thread Trail to the U. S. National White Water Center. Wildlife habitat protection and enhancement is a critical component of the project.

February 7, 2013

Communities Interested in Applying Smart Growth Principles Can Apply for Technical Support -- U.S. EPA's Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program

The SGIA program is an annual, competitive solicitation open to state, local, regional, and tribal governments (and non-profits that have partnered with a governmental entity) that want to incorporate smart growth techniques into their future development. The U.S. EPA will select 3 or 4 communities this year to obtain free technical support of their smart growth efforts. See information and how to apply here&  http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm, and see the U.S. EPA's request for letters of interest here&  http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/sgia/sgia-2013-rfli.pdf

May 29, 2012

Program Fees Effective Immediately For New Applications.

Fees for development of a brownfield agreement were last changed in July 2006. For a few years, the Brownfields Program in the Division of Waste Management continued to receive level funding support from the U.S. EPA. However, in recent years, there have been considerable cuts to U.S. EPA brownfields funding to states, and that trend is likely to continue. The Brownfields Property Reuse Act requires recovery of costs and, since the percentage of the costs covered by the U.S. EPA funding provided to the program is decreasing, the cost portion of fees paid by prospective developers must increase in order to maintain the current level of service for projects seeking redevelopment, the resulting creation of jobs, and compliance with the statute. Analysis shows that these fees will increase from an average of $5,500 to $8,000 for a standard site.

Consistent with the statute, this fee is provided by prospective developers to the North Carolina Brownfields Program in two installments. At the beginning of the process, at the time the site is deemed eligible, there is an initial $2,000 statutory fee due. The remainder due is negotiated in the brownfields agreement, but the fee amount must defray all costs to the state (for both NCDEQ and the North Carolina Department of Justice).

Analysis of funding totals from the U.S. EPA and fees indicates that, due to the decreased federal funding, this second installment cost average must increase to $6,000 in order to defray program costs consistent with the statutory requirement. This increase will result in a total fee of $8,000 for a standard project, subject to negotiation of a brownfields agreement. This announcement serves to notify all applicant prospective developers that this fee increase will apply to all projects entering the program after May 31, 2012.

Fees may be higher if a particular project requires legal review and negotiation through a Department of Justice attorney, as by statute, the Department of Justices expenses must also be defrayed. However, based on experience over the course of more than 200 completed agreements, program staff believe that the legal fee is entirely avoidable at most standard sites.

If the prospective developer enters the Redevelopment Now program, fees will remain the same as they are at present: $30,000, subject to the negotiated brownfields agreement, as these fees do not include any federal funding subsidy.

May 29, 2012

Commencement of the Ready-For-Reuse Agreement Program.

The North Carolina Brownfields Program has been piloting the preparation of brownfields agreements that aid the marketing of brownfields properties. In instances where an owner of property is not eligible for a brownfields agreement, the program will, in cooperation with that owner, develop a draft brownfields agreement, with the prospective developer listed in the agreement as to be determined. Such a Ready-for-Reuse Brownfields Agreement will provide the prospective purchaser a site that is ready to go, with a draft brownfields agreement prepared in advance and awaiting finalization that is consistent with the purchasers end use. This will aid the marketing of the property, and, therefore, its ultimate redevelopment. Through this Ready for Reuse type of agreement, the program hopes to encourage a new universe of brownfield properties that would otherwise remain abandoned or underused into redevelopment, creating jobs and opportunities while protecting public health and the environment.

As a result of future purchaser vetting, programmatic project restart costs, and post-agreement modification requirements, this type of project is of somewhat higher cost to the department. The program is prepared to provide such agreements with a cost recovery structure commensurate with the estimated required additional resources. Therefore, subject to the negotiated brownfields agreement, the department is setting the estimated standard Ready-for-Reuse fee, based on these costs, at $15,000 for such sites, payable in two installments: half upon receiving eligibility determination from the program, and half when the Ready-for-Reuse Brownfields Agreement is agreed to by the owner and DEQ and is made ready for public comment.

The program reserves its statutory discretion to not proceed with a particular agreement of this type should it perceive such an agreement would run counter to statutory goals or has insufficient public benefit to warrant use of program resources. No fees are due if the department decides not to proceed with the applicant's project due to such concerns.

Nov 29, 2011

EPA Requests Proposals for Urban Waters Small Grants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award between $1.8 to $3.8 million in funding for projects across the country to help restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. The funding is part of EPAs Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land.  Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational and employment opportunities in nearby communities.

The goal of the Urban Waters Small Grants program is to fund research, studies, training, and demonstration projects that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities such as public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents. Examples of projects eligible for funding include:

   "  Education and training for water quality improvement or green infrastructure jobs

   "  Public education about ways to reduce water pollution

   "  Local water quality monitoring programs

   "  Engaging diverse stakeholders to develop local watershed plans

   "  Innovative projects that promote local water quality and community revitalization goals

Information about Urban Waters Small Grants including the Request for Proposal (RFP) and registration links for the webinars is available at  http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding.  EPA expects to award the grants in Summer 2012.

Note to Applicants:  In accordance with EPA's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with individual applicants to discuss draft proposals, provide informal comments on draft proposals, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the contents of their proposals. However, consistent with the provisions in the announcement, EPA will respond to questions from individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the proposal, and requests for clarification about the announcement. Questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to  urbanwaters@epa.gov and must be received by the Agency Contact, Ji-Sun Yi, by January 16, 2012 and written responses will be posted on EPAs website at  http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding

Dates to Remember:

   "  Deadline for submitting proposals:  January 23, 2012.

   "  Two webinars about this funding opportunity:  December 14, 2011 and January 5, 2012.

   "  Deadline for submitting questions:  January 16, 2012

Related Links:

   "  For more information on EPAs Urban Waters program, visit  http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters.

   "  EPAs Urban Waters program supports the goals and principles of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership of 11 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways. For more information on the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, visit  http://urbanwaters.gov. 

Sept 30, 2011

EPA Announces FY2012 Request for Proposals for Brownfields Grants.

EPA Announces FY2012 Request for Proposals for Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants! The proposal deadline is  November 28, 2011, for more information and complete grant guidelines visit : http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm

The grants are available for sites contaminated with petroleum and/or hazardous substances; with funding for assessment in each category up to $200,000 or  $1,000,000 for an assessment coalition.  Grants for the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) (up to $1,000,000) are available to facilitate the cleanup of brownfields sites and individual Brownfield Cleanup Grants (up to $200,000) are available for site specific cleanups.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the North Carolina Brownfields Program early for your acknowledgement letter.  And read the grant guidelines carefully before applying.  

Sept 15, 2011

MOVE TO GREEN SQUARE APPROACHING

The move to the Green Square Complex is expected to be completed on October 24, 2011.  As a result of the move, new phone numbers have been assigned to the Raleigh based Brownfields Program Staff.

Effective OCTOBER 24, 2011 the new contact numbers will be:

The mailing address will be:

Mail Service Center 1646
Raleigh, NC 27699-1646

The physical address will be:

217 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-6100

Jul 27, 2011

SAVE THE DATE  September 20, 2011, for the Southern Appalachian Brownfields Workshop.

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency is sponsoring a Brownfields Workshop in Asheville, NC on September 20, 2011. Presented in cooperation with the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP), the Brownfields Community Network, and the states of the Southern Appalachians (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee), this conference will arm attendees with the latest information and techniques for supporting local economic development through brownfields. Come and learn lessons of success in starting up the brownfields economic engine for your local community, including information on federal grants, liability protection for developers, and breaking financing barriers from lenders. Link to more information and agenda  HERE .

(Agenda updated on 9/8/11)

Jul 5, 2011

Brownfields File Room is Projected to be Closed September and October

Due to the relocation of the Brownfields Program to the new Green Square Complex, the file room is projected to be closed during the months of September and October 2011. Project files will not be available for review during this time.

Jan 19, 2011

REMINDER - Land Use Restriction Updates Due in January

January is the month when owners of most Brownfields Properties must submit their Land Use Restrictions Updates (LURUs). If needed, you may request a LURU Form by contacting David Peacock at  David.Peacock@deq.nc.gov.

November 1, 2010

City of Lexington Seeks Developer for its Depot District Brownfields Project

The City of Lexington, NC is a Prospective Developer in the NC Brownfield Program for a former furniture manufacturing property, now known as the Lexington Home Brands Plant 1 site (LHB Plant 1) in downtown Lexington. The City is seeking a professional firm(s) to prepare a Depot District Redevelopment Plan in downtown Lexington, a portion of which includes the LHB Plant 1 site. The City of Lexington purchased the LHB Plant 1 property that consists of approximately 18 acres and 1 million square feet of building space. The objective is to formulate a Depot District Redevelopment Plan that would maximize the potential use, character and value of the former LHB Plant 1 property.

The Request for a  Statement of Qualifications can be found at the Citys website:
http://www.lexingtonnc.net/comdev/RFQ.pdf

July 1, 2010

$75 Million in Funding Available--HUD-DOT Announce Community Challenge Grants and TIGER II Planning Grants

U.S. Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will join forces to award up to $75 million in funding  $35 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) II Planning Grants and $40 million in Sustainable Community Challenge Grants for localized planning activities that ultimately lead to projects that integrate transportation, housing and economic development.

The new program builds on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an innovative new interagency collaboration, launched by President Obama in June 2009, between the Department of ransportation (DOT), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Partnership is designed to remove the traditional federal government silos that exist between departments and strategically target the agencies' transportation, land use, environmental, housing and community development resources to provide communities the resources they need to build more livable, sustainable communities.

TIGER II Planning Grants may be used to plan, prepare or design surface transportation projects that would be eligible for funding under the TIGER II Discretionary Grant program. These projects include highways, bridges, transit, railways, ports or bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

HUD's Sustainable Communities funding will target urban and community planning projects that foster reform and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. Such efforts may include amending or replacing local master plans, zoning codes, and building codes either on a jurisdiction-wide basis or in a specific neighborhood or sector to promote mixed-use development, affordable housing and the re-use of older buildings for new purposes with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local level.

For more information:  http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/huddotnofa.cfm.

July 1, 2010

Brownfield Grant Will Help Clean Up Contaminated Land in Charlotte

The City of Charlotte has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to decontaminate land, making it suitable for development. The Citys Engineering & Property Management (E&PM) and Neighborhood and Business Services (NBS) departments teamed up to apply for and win the federal grant. In April, the City was selected by the EPA for a Brownfield Community-Wide Assessment Grant.  The $400,000 competitive grant provides funds for developing inventories of brownfield properties, prioritizing sites, conducting community involvement activities and conducting site assessments and cleanup planning.

With this grant, we can support both public and private development, which leads to job creation within the City's most economically distressed areas," said Environmental Program Manager David Wolfe.

The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of contaminated sites such as abandoned gas stations, old textile mills and other industrial and commercial properties. Grant funds in Charlotte will support environmental assessment activities within the Citys Business Corridor Revitalization geographical area.  For more info click  HERE.

For additional information contact:
Kristen Behlke, Communications Specialist
City of Charlotte
704-336-8917

May 24, 2010

City of Durham Brownfields Job Fair and Reception

The City of Durham Office of Economic and Workforce Development has been training qualified applicants for technician positions in the environmental workforce.  This robust, focused training program provides the certifications workers need to "hit the ground running" and have an immediate, positive impact on your company.  It was designed by local environmental professionals and is the only one of its kind in North Carolina.

The City of Durham would like for you to have the opportunity to meet and talk with program graduates about your business and invites you to the first ever Brownfields Job Fair and Reception.  The event will take place on May 27, 2010, from 1:45 to 4:00 pm, at the Durham Technical Community College Corporate Education Center located at 1637 Lawson Street, Durham NC 27703.

Please RSVP to Katharine Neuman at 919-560-4965, ext. 15209, or by email at  Katharine.Neumen@durhamnc.gov.

For more information please click  HERE.

May 18, 2010

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITY FOR BROWNFIELDS GRANTEES TO APPLY FOR GROUNDWORK USA PILOT FUNDING

The National Parks Service is offering a grant opportunity (up to $180,000) for EPA Brownfields Grantees to fund the establishment of a Groundwork USA trust.  The letter of interest due date is June 16, 2010.  The Groundwork USA Initiative is a pilot program of the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers and Trails Program in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program to establish a network of independent nonprofit environmental businesses called Groundwork Trusts.  The Groundwork USA Initiative builds the capacity of communities impacted by brownfields and derelict lands to improve their environment for conservation, recreation and economic development by supporting the establishment of locally organized and controlled Groundwork Trust organizations.  Each Groundwork Trust represents a strong partnership between municipal government, business and civic leaders, foundations, churches, community organizations and residents.  They are focused on delivering projects and programs to improve their communities environment, economy and quality of life.  There are presently 20 Groundwork USA pilot communities across the United States.  Details on this funding opportunity can be found  here&GW USA Pilot Funding.pdf

May 11, 2010

Durham Holding Environmental Networking Session For EPA Job Training Grant Students

The City of Durhams Office of Economic and  Workforce Development has Development has utilized its EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant to train numerous students and is holding a job and networking session for its graduates.  Environmental firms through throughout the research triangle area have been invited to attend.  Hosted by the Research Triangle Foundation of NC, the session will take place at Foundation offices at 12 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC from 8:00 to 9:45 on May 17.  RSVP requested, details found  here .  The Brownfields Program supports Durhams job training efforts.  Significant investment has been made in these students as they have received numerous OSHA-required training certifications.  Please come out and network with the City and find out more about this valuable workforce!

Mar 1, 2010

Submittal of Reports in Electronic Format

As of March 1, 2010, all reports submitted to the Brownfields Program should be in electronic format.

Oct 2, 2009

New Public Comment Guidance Document Now Available

A new guidance document has been created to help Prospective Developers comply with the revised public comment requirements that took effect on October 1, 2009. The guidance document may be accessed on the  Statutes and Guidance webpage, or by clicking  HERE.

Sep 9, 2009

EPA Region 4 is holding a Brownfields Grant Writing Tips Webinar on Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT.

This webinar will give prospective Brownfields grant applicants and grant writers an opportunity to understand the FY-2010 Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants. Through this training, EPA will provide participants with tips on writing a winning Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, or Cleanup grant proposal. 

The targeted audience includes representatives of eligible Brownfields applicants, including states, tribes, local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, and non-profits, as well as grant writers. Participants should have at least a basic understanding of Brownfields sites and of EPAs Brownfields program. 

Register Now! This course is limited to 125 participants. EPA intends to monitor registration and encourages participants from the same organization to share a phone line and computer. Please cancel your registration if your schedule does not permit you to attend. A call-in number and access code will be emailed to participants prior to the call. 

To register, go to:

http://www.trainex.org/BF-GWT-Webinar 

For questions, please contact: 
Mike Norman: 404-562-8792 or via email at  norman.michael@epa.gov
Margaret Olson: 404-562-8601 or via email at  olson.margaret@epa.gov

AUG 14, 2009

To Local Governments&The 2009-2010 U.S. EPA Brownfield Grant Application Guidelines Now Available

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published guidelines for local governments to apply for this years round of brownfields grants. The guidelines can be found at  http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm. The proposals for these competitive grants are due October 16, 2009. Grant awards for winning applicants will be announced in Spring 2010. Under these guidelines, the EPA provides brownfields funding for three types of grants: 

  1. Brownfields Assessment Grants  provides funds to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning (including cleanup planning) and community involvement related to brownfield sites. 
  2. Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants  provides funds for a grant recipient to capitalize a revolving fund and to make loans and provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. 
  3. Brownfields Cleanup Grants  provides funds to carry out cleanup activities at a specific brownfield site owned by the applicant. 

North Carolina local government entities were awarded $2.26 million worth of these grants last year in support of brownfields activities, including the cities of Concord, Durham, Greensboro, Greenville, New Bern, and the Land-of-Sky Regional Council.

JUL 1, 2009

General Assembly Modifies Brownfields Public Comment Process

Introduced during the current session of the General Assembly, House Bill 1388 was ratified and signed into law on June 26, 2009. It will become effective on October 1, 2009  (full text of the bill). The new statute changes the process by which brownfields agreements are made available to the public for review and comment. The existing notice requirements for posting the Summary Notice of Intent to Redevelop a Brownfields Property (SNI) on the property and publishing it in a newspaper local to the brownfields property remain unchanged. The new law: 1) removes the previous requirement that the SNI be published in the N.C. Register, and 2) adds the requirement that Prospective Developers (PDs) mail or deliver a copy of the SNI to all owners of property contiguous to the brownfields property, directly notifying them of the brownfields agreement and public comment period. The new contiguous owner notice requirement will provide more effective public notice of brownfields agreements, and will streamline notification by eliminating the 3-week time lag inherent in N.C. Register publication. Only those N.C. Brownfields Program projects that will be going into public comment on or after the new laws effective date will be affected, and the Program will provide guidance on these new requirements to the PDs for those projects.

APR 22, 2009

Economic Recovery Act adds to Local Brownfields Funding Availability

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has  announced the availability of  recovery act funds to supplement grant programs designed to facilitate redevelopment of brownfields properties. The major brownfields funding announcements include $40 million for eligible brownfields revolving loan fund, or RLF, grants, $38 million added to the brownfields assessment and cleanup grant programs, and $5 million in additional job training grant opportunities. Specific information on these programs including eligible entities, deadlines, and submitting a request for recovery act supplemental funding is available at EPAs website  here. Various North Carolina local government entities are planning to seek these funds. News on their efforts will be posted here in the near future. Specific information on this and other state-related economic recovery news can also be found at  NCRecovery.gov.

AUG 27, 2008

Brownfields Grant Opportunities Workshops Recap

Thanks to all the speakers and attendees of the Brownfields Grant Workshops sponsored by the Brownfields Program, the NC Rural Center, and the U.S. EPA for helping to make these events such a success. All told there were more than 110 attendees of both workshops. We hope that you received information on tools and tips to help you succeed in obtaining grants for brownfields redevelopment and organizing brownfields teams in your local jurisdiction. The Brownfields Program would like to thank Bill McNeil of the NC Rural Center for his outstanding partnering efforts in the planning, organizing, and co-sponsoring of the workshops, and also to Mike Norman of the US EPA Region 4 for making two individual trips from Atlanta to make sure our local governments received the latest word from the U.S. EPA. 
Click here to view the Powerpoint presentations from each workshop.

AUG 25, 2008

Revised Proposal Guidlines for EPA Brownfields Grants

The U.S. EPA has recently posted revised proposal guidelines for its Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants. The deadline for submitting proposals for this round of grants is November 14, 2008. 
Click here to visit the Brownfields Funding Information page on EPA's website.