U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant

In October of 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (KCBRA) a $300,000 community-wide assessment grant to conduct environmental site assessments for petroleum and hazardous substances. The KCBRA can use these funds to make significant improvements at formerly contaminated and blighted properties. These funds will be used to assess the environmental condition of sites within Kalamazoo County, with a focus on the Northside neighborhood in the City of Kalamazoo. The grant period runs from 10/1/21 through 9/30/24. In October of 2024, the KCBRA was awarded an extension of the grant contract until 9/30/25.

Most development and redevelopment projects require environmental due diligence to be conducted prior to acquisition. These funds can be used to meet those requirements satisfying lenders, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), Due Care Obligations and other development partners. Additionally, the grants can be used to develop Brownfield Plans, which can help offset environmental and non-environmental costs associated with redeveloping and rehabilitating  buildings and properties. The KCBRA has been at the forefront of redeveloping Kalamazoo County’s brownfield sites for over ten years. It is uniquely positioned to assist developers (both large and small) with their environmental and brownfield needs in a comprehensive and timely fashion.

Please contact Macy Rose Walters, KCBRA Brownfield Redevelopment Coordinator, to find out more about U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant funds and how to apply.

What activities can be funded using the EPA Assessment Grant?

  1. Oversight of the county’s Brownfield Site Inventory and Prioritization Project
  2. Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
  3. Historical records search, aerials, Sanborn Maps, site inspections, etc., in compliance with EPA requirements
  4. Phase II ESAs
  5. Sampling activities – i.e., soil, groundwater, vapor, asbestos, lead
  6. Laboratory analyses
  7. Geophysical investigations
  8. Baseline Environmental Site Assessments (BEAs)
  9. Documentation of Due Care Compliance (DDCC)
  10. Brownfield Plans, Act 381 Work Plans & Clean-up Plans
  11. Brownfield Plans for tax increment capture
  12. Act 381/MSF Work Plans – school tax capture
  13. Cleanup planning/feasibility reviews
  14. Community outreach

Other funding tools may be available for the following activities:

  1. Demolition, lead & asbestos abatement
  2. Clean-up activities
  3. Site preparation and infrastructure improvements in the Cities of Kalamazoo and Portage (MEDC Core Communities)

Where can you use the EPA Grant?

Sites eligible for Grant use:

  1. Sites throughout the county, where assessment will benefit the community
  2. Knowledge of existing contamination is not necessary
  3. Publicly or privately owned
  4. Vacant or in use
  5. Meets EPA eligibility requirements
  6. Contaminated, blighted, functionally obsolete, historic resource

Sites Not Eligible for Grant Use:

  1. National Priority List sites (Superfund) or proposed NPL sites
  2. Sites subject to EPA action
  3. Property owned by U.S. Government

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Before: Clark Logic

Clark Logic

Clark Logic After Redevelopment