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TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
applauded two Florida recipients for receiving grants totaling $650,000 from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Hillsborough County and Treasure
Coast Regional Planning Council received individual funds to clean up and
redevelop brownfield sites within their communities.
“The redevelopment of brownfield sites help to clean up pollution, build
stronger communities and create economic opportunities,” said Division of Waste
Management Director Mary Jean Yon. “With the help of Florida’s brownfields
program and these grants, sites that would have otherwise remained idle and
abandoned can be revitalized.”
Hillsborough County and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council are two of
only 16 national recipients selected to receive supplemental revolving loan fund
grants from the EPA, and the only recipients in Florida. EPA awarded more than
$6.3 million in supplemental grants nationwide. These supplemental grants help
participants in the brownfields program access expertise and other resources
from more than 20 federal agencies.
“We look forward to adding this $300,000 to our revolving loan fund, giving
us a total of $1.65 million to be used to promote growth and new industry in
Hillsborough County and enhance our abilities within this program as we work
with EPA on brownfield cleanup and redevelopment,” said Elaine Lund, Community
Planner with Hillsborough County.
Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution.
The federal Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act
of 2002 authorizes up to $250 million in funds annually for brownfields grants.
“The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council appreciates the continued
support of EPA for its brownfields program. The funding will specifically help
to redevelop large-scale commercial revitalization brownfield projects in
communities within the Treasure Coast such as Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach and
Belle Glade,” said Greg Vaday, Economic Development Coordinator for Treasure
Coast Regional Planning Council.
The state and federal brownfield redevelopment programs help communities
revitalize properties environmentally, restore economic vitality and mitigate
potential health risks to areas where brownfields exist. Today, there are more
than 114 brownfield projects underway and 174 designated brownfield areas in
Florida. Based upon economic and regulatory incentives, the program uses private
revenue to clean up and redevelop sites, create new jobs and enhance the local
economy.
For more information about Florida’s brownfields program, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/brownfields/default.htm. | 
