Latest news with #Brownfields
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tazewell secures funding for first phase of Clinch River Pavilion and Farmers Market project
tazewell, va. — The popular farmers market in Tazewell will soon have a new and permanent home. The town of Tazewell has been awarded a $296,500 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission for the first phase of the Clinch River Pavilion and Farmers Market project. This project will provide a new home for the Tazewell Farmers Market while also providing a new option for community events and economic growth. The farmers market is currently located off Fincastle Turnpike at the first Tazewell exit, but the new location will provide consistency for the market as well as shelter from rain and other weather, Tazewell Town Manager Leeanne Regon said. 'So the town council has agreed to allocate funds to match the Tobacco Commission award,' Regon said Tuesday. 'The town council has allocated the same. Without the tobacco commission awards we would not have funding to do this first phase. So the first phase will be site development and construction of the pavilion. And when it is not in use by the farmer's market, it would be available for other events.' Regon said the Cumberland Forest Community Fund also has awarded a $15,000 grant to the town to construct a river walk area near the rear of the Clinch River Pavilion and Farmers Market property. The new farmers market is planned at the site of the former bowling alley in North Tazewell. That location has already undergone significant improvements with the removal of the dilapidated structure and site remediation, which was completed through funding provided by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Brownfields program. Regon said the development is a work in progress, adding the town is looking at the possibility of acquiring a pre-fabricated facility for the shelter. She said Delegate James W. 'Will' Morefield, R-Tazewell, and Senator Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, are both backing and supporting the project on the state level. The town is hoping that the new Clinch River Pavilion & Farmers Market will serve as a catalyst for a second project — the North Tazewell Business District Revitalization. Regon said the town has received a planning grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for that project which will allow for facade improvements for the properties in the business district as well as the redevelopment of a commercial property that is being transferred to the town of Tazewell's Industrial/Economic Development Authority. 'We would welcome just about any business,' Reagon said when asked what type of business would be sought for the redeveloped commercial property. Regon said the town will seek a Community Development Block Grant in the future from the Department of Housing and Community Development for the business district revitalization plan. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa communities to receive $5.5 million for brownfield site cleanup
A former zinc smelter and lead alloying facility in Keokuk is one of several sites selected to received a commulative $5.5 million in EPA Brownfields Program grants. (Photo courtesy of EPA) Five Iowa communities have been selected to receive $5.5 million in grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up and restore blighted or contaminated properties. Sites selected in Iowa are former grocery stores, a YMCA building, a meat packing plant, abandoned businesses and a smelting facility. The EPA Brownfields Program helps a community to assess, clean up and eventually reuse contaminated sites that would otherwise be unusable. The City of Clinton received a grant for a little over $1 million, which City Administrator Matt Brooke said will be used to remove the pool section of the city's former YMCA. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The former YMCA building is contaminated with asbestos and lead, which make it unsuitable for redevelopment until it is remediated. 'This grant funding will enable Clinton to continue a crucial environmental cleanup project,' Brooke said in a press release sent by EPA. 'Clinton continues to work toward a cleaner and greener community for all people to live, work, and enjoy.' Iowa Western Community College receives EPA grant for job training The Iowa grants are part of a nationwide allotment of $267 million in brownfields grants. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the program will help to create new opportunities for businesses and housing while strengthening local economies. 'EPA's Brownfields program demonstrates how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity complement each other,' Zeldin said in a statement. 'Under President Trump's leadership, EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water while supporting sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.' The EPA Brownfields Program started in 1995, but saw a significant boost in funding under former President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan. Another recipient of the recently awarded funding, East Central Intergovernmental Association, has facilitated brownfield clean up projects in eastern Iowa through its participation in the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund with EPA. The association was awarded $1.5 million to help replenish the fund, which EPA said has been 'high performing.' The fund thus far has supported projects like the YMCA remediation in Clinton and a property in Dubuque. 'Many communities are burdened with brownfield sites but lack the resources to address them,' said Dawn Danielson, ECIA's brownfields coordinator. 'The ripple effect of EPA's investments is transformational, not only for the site itself but also for surrounding properties.' Danielson said the remediated sites typically become 'catalysts for economic development' in the area and breathe 'new life' into communities. Le Mars Mayor Rob Bixenman, similarly said the grant will revitalize 'key areas' of the community and help to accelerate the city's community development plan. Le Mars was awarded $400,000 to assess and develop clean up plans at a former Walmart, meat packing plant, landscaping company and unused hotel along the city's business corridor. The City of Keokuk was also selected to receive just under $2 million to clean up a 16-acre site that formerly smelted and refined zinc and lead. According to EPA, the site is contaminated with coal tar, zinc smelting residuals that are high in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH, and heavy metals. The plant opened in 1915 and operated until the 1980s. The site has received a number of EPA grants as the city works to clean up the site and hopefully attract a redeveloper. The City of Red Oak was also selected and will receive a $500,000 grant to conduct site assessments and community engagement for unused properties along its Broadway Street. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City awarded $6 million in EPA Grants to revitalize neighborhoods
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City has been awarded $6 million in federal Brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revitalize and redevelop key sites east of Troost. The EPA Brownfields grant money is used to transform any vacant or underused property, like the Benson site at 18th and Agnes, which may have environmental issues connected to it. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV According to the city, the $4 million will be used to clean up and redevelop 47 vacant lots in the historic Washington Wheatley neighborhood and the former Benson manufacturing site near 18th and Agnes Avenue The additional $2 million will create a 'Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund.' The city's website says this loan will expand the City's ability to provide low-interest loans and subgrants for cleanup sites. 'The $6 million EPA investment will accelerate our work transforming environmental challenges into neighborhood opportunities,' said Mayor Quinton Lucas. 'Being one of only eight cities nationwide to receive a cleanup grant at this level recognizes Kansas City's leadership in equitable community development through Brownfields revitalization.' Over the past 28 years, Kansas City has used $40 million in grants to improve redevelopment projects like the Aldi at 39th and Troost and the Zhou B Art Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shreveport mayor speaks on La. speed camera bill
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Louisiana Senate Bill 99 was discussed Monday during the transportation committee meeting. It is authored by Senator Stewart Cathey, a Republican from the Monroe area. The bill would restrict the use of automated speed enforcement devices in the state. Cathey calls them 'speed-scam-eras' and says he feels they are unconstitutional. Cathey pointed out that when he posted on social media that he wanted them banned, his post was shared over two thousand times, which he said goes to show how much Louisianians dislike them. Louisiana projects receive Brownfields revitalization funds The bill would allow the devices in school zones only, areas where Shreveport already has them. Mayor Tom Arceneaux addressed the committee, saying, 'This has become a very effective means of changing people's behavior, and we would like the option to proceed and deal with our constituents on a local level.' Shreveport CAO Tom Dark pointed out that the city is short on police officers, and these devices can be an extension of the department's enforcement arm. If the bill passes, the city could not place more cameras outside of school zones. The bill passed out of committee and now heads to the full House for debate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$500K grant to address Mercer County hazardous properties
(WKBN) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that a Mercer County community development group has been awarded a large grant to address hazardous properties. Penn-Northwest Development Corporation received a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Grant. A brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. According to the EPA, there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S. 'This is huge,' said Rod Wilt, co-executive director of Penn-Northwest, in a news release. 'We will use these funds to assist the business community over the coming fiscal year.' Penn-Northwest has used previous Brownfields grants to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments and cleanup. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
