Branch County was awarded $400,000 — Brownfield Grants from USEPA
Coldwater, MI (May 23, 2007) — The County of Branch received word on May 14, 2007 from the US Environmental Protection Agency that two $200,000 grants for a total of $400,000 have been awarded to the County for the assessment of Brownfields properties.
Under the EPA’s Brownfields Program, the grant will be used to inventory and assess sites in Branch County that are potentially contaminated with petroleum or hazardous contaminants. While specific activities have yet to be negotiated with the EPA in a cooperative agreement, the application called for using the funds to conduct community outreach activities and perform Phase 1 and Phase 2 enviornmental site assessments.
Branch County’s award was part of $70.7 million in grant funds that will be shared by communities in 38 other states, 5 tribal nations, and two territories to promote the redevelopment of abandoned and potentially contaminated sites. County Administrator Bud Norman was pleased to be among the 202 applicants that received a grant under the EPA’s Brownfields Program. “I can’t say enough in thanking the partners in this,” County Commissioner Dale Swift said. “It’s gotta be positive for the County in the future.”