EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002, as amended by the Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development Act of 2018, was passed to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfield sites. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through five competitive grant programs: Multipurpose Grants, Assessment Grants, Revolving Loan Fund Grants, Cleanup Grants, and Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.
$305,844
EPA has selected Owsley County Alliance for Recreation and Entertainment, Inc., for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Booneville/Seale Theater located at 165 North Mulberry Street in the City of Booneville. The cleanup site was constructed in 1947 and operated as a movie theater until 1985. The site has been vacant and primarily used as storage by the former owners since 1985. It is contaminated with metals and inorganic contaminants. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities.