Envirologic is Instrumental in Securing EPA Brownfield Grant Funding for Michigan Communities

Envirologic is pleased to announce the City of Muskegon Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Jackson County have recently been awarded EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants. These funds will provide $800,000 for environmental assessments, cleanup planning and community outreach activities. In Michigan, seven communities received the federal funds out of twenty-six applications. These are very competitive grant funds which Envirologic was integral in securing for these two municipalities. The communities that received funding have demonstrated leadership, developed strong local partnerships and have the skills necessary to transform brownfield sites into productive uses which will benefit targeted areas and the community as a whole.

The City of Muskegon was built on heavy industrial uses of its land, particularly along the shoreline of Muskegon Lake. Through the last decade, the City of Muskegon has been redeveloping their downtown and lakefront sites, making bold and sweeping changes that have transformed the downtown and waterfront properties through massive infrastructure and redevelopment projects. The new Muskegon downtown is a modern urban center that showcases the lakefront and embraces the City s past. But the rebuilding effort is still challenging, and these grant funds will secure continued progress in rebuilding the downtown and shoreline, and help make the cost of brownfield redevelopment competitive.

Jackson County's economy has been heavily dependent on the industrial community since the mid-1800s. Many of these older industrial factories no longer meet the needs of modern day manufacturers and the result is numerous properties left vacant and unused. Local businesses have expressed interest in the former industrial properties, however, blighted conditions and potential public health exposures deter actual progress. These grant funds will provide needed evaluation of these sites and allow for the development of conceptual plans for safe and effective redevelopment of the properties. Jackson County has demonstrated success and competence in managing brownfield redevelopment grants in the past and is experienced in Brownfield Redevelopment. These new grant funds will help the County build upon those successes.

We applaud the City of Muskegon and Jackson County for their efforts to take on the challenging brownfield sites in their communities, said Jeff Hawkins, President of Envirologic, we look forward to working with these communities as they create new opportunities for investment and jobs that can result from redeveloping brownfield sites.

If we can be of assistance in planning and compiling EPA Assessment Grants for your municipality, please contact Envirologic to schedule a time for a call or to meet.