FY2016 Brownfield Assessment Grant
In August of 2016, the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) received a $550,000 Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Cooperative Agreement No. BF97756401 to develop a brownfields inventory list, prioritize potentially contaminated sites for assessment, establishing a steering committee of stakeholders, assessing potential brownfield sites and developing an outreach program.
The grant funds were to be utilized to fund potential brownfield sites located throughout the region ECIA serves of Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, & Jackson Counties with a focus on assisting Clinton and Jackson Counties.
The Coalition’s approach was to investigate sites that were actively being considered for redevelopment. By removing the uncertainty of potential environmental contamination, EPA funding was a key catalyst for moving the redevelopment of these sites forward.
Under the FY2016 U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant, ECIA has provided environmental assessment assistance at 26 sites throughout East Central Iowa.
FY2020 Brownfields Assessment Grant
In May 2020, ECIA was awarded a new Brownfields Coalition Assessment grant in the amount of $600,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Cooperative No. BF97782001.
The coalition members for this grant are Clinton, Delaware and Jackson County where the majority of funds will be utilized. Funds are also available for Cedar and Dubuque counties. The grant funds include $300,000 to be used for assessment activities and an additional $124,000 to be used on planning activities of Brownfields sites. ECIA procured the following environmental consultants to assist with its Brownfields Assessment Grant Activities: Blackstone Environmental/Fehr Graham and Terracon Consultants, Inc.
The FY2020 Brownfields Assessment Grant reporting period is August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2023. As of October 2021, ECIA has provided funding for environmental assessment and planning totaling $59,572 at five sites located throughout the five-county region.
Testimonials
The ECIA Brownfields Program can help a community jumpstart a redevelopment project. ECIA is excited to continue to assist communities throughout the region with assessment and planning funds. The City of Hopkinton received assessment funds under both the FY2016 Brownfields Assessment Grant and under the FY2020 Brownfields Assessment Grant.
"The Brownfield grant is a great way for communities to take the first leap in property clean-up within the community. Without this grant, we would not have moved forward with the Derelict Building grant at 129 1st St Se where we are in the beginning stages of ideas for a greenspace. Our current project is allowing us the opportunity to look into our community's future by taking inventory of a current building and site with the hopes of using that realty space for the future site of our health clinic." - Sarah Helle, City Clerk, City of Hopkinton
