
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.
$400,000
EPA has selected Clay County for a Brownfields Assessment Grant that will be funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct nine Phase I and seven Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also be used to inventory and prioritize sites, develop two cleanup plans and three reuse plans, and support community engagement activities. The target areas for this grant are the City of Brazil, the Town of Knightsville, and downtown Clay City. Priority sites include a former auto repair facility in Brazil, a vacant lot that previously housed auto repair facilities and garages in downtown Clay City, and a 5-acre former motor court in Knightsville.