EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, Tribal Nations, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfield sites. 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 Job Training Grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.
$500,000
EPA has selected the City of Michigan City for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct ten Phase I and up to 12 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to prepare up to ten cleanup plans, update an existing brownfield site inventory, and conduct community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is Michigan City's North Side Target Area. Priority sites include a 7.7-acre former hospital property, the 6.4-acre McKay Printing site, a 5.4-acre industrial facility, the 62-acre former Marquette Mall, and a 2.1-acre former furniture factory.