FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2014
FLORIDA RECEIVES $800,000 FOR BROWNFIELD
REDEVELOPMENT
~Federal brownfield grants restore environment, stimulate
economy~
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida
Department of Environmental Protection and Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.
congratulate three Florida communities for receiving $800,000 in brownfield
grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Brownfields
are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by
the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution. Florida received this
grant funding to help communities revitalize properties environmentally,
restore economic vitality and mitigate potential health risks.
“The brownfield redevelopment program is not only helping to clean up
environmental contamination, but it is also building stronger communities, bringing
new business opportunities into Florida’s cities and providing jobs for our
residents,” said DEP Secretary Vinyard.
The
department assisted applicants with the EPA grant process and will provide
continued support to redevelop properties and return them to the community. Using these federal grants, local communities are able to provide training and revitalize areas that would otherwise sit idle and abandoned and return them to a useful, productive state. These
EPA brownfield grants, when used with the Florida brownfield redevelopment program, are a
powerful tool for community revitalization. The
three Florida recipients were selected for federal funding from a pool of
national applicants based on community need and public involvement. Grant
recipients and their respective projects follow.
Central Florida Regional Planning
Council – Two brownfield assessment
grants totaling $400,000 will be used to fund up to 27 environmental site
assessments, plan for cleanups, monitor public health and conduct community
outreach activities.
Corporation to Develop
Communities (CDC) of Tampa – With
this $200,000 workforce development and job training grant, CDC of Tampa plans
to train 54 students, place 51 graduates in environmental jobs and track
graduates for one year.
City of St.
Marks - A $200,000 grant will be
used to clean up the eastern parcel of the former St. Marks Refinery located at
627 Port Leon Drive in Wakulla County.
The DEP’s
Northwest District is hosting its 2nd Annual Northwest Florida
Brownfield Workshop on August 13 at the Washington County Agricultural Center
in Chipley. At the workshop, federal, state and local experts will gather to
provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about brownfield
redevelopment. Topics that will be discussed include updates to Florida brownfield
laws, economic incentives, assessment funding and grants. For more information
on the workshop, contact Brandy Smith at 850-595-0695 or brandy.m.smith@dep.state.fl.us
Florida’s Brownfield
Redevelopment program began in 1998 and is one of the fastest growing programs
in the nation with a steady annual increase in development projects. Currently,
there are 357 designated brownfield areas in Florida. If eligible, properties within a brownfield
area may pursue cleanup under Florida’s brownfield program. Since
inception, 196 brownfield projects have
entered Florida’s program and of these, 72 brownfield projects have been
completed. The Florida brownfield redevelopment program leverages economic and
regulatory
incentives to attract private capital to clean up and redevelop areas in
Florida, create new job opportunities and enhance economic prospects.
For more
information about Florida’s brownfield redevelopment program click here.
To learn more about the grants, click here.
| 
