The USEPA recently announced the award of a $1.2 million Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant to the Montgomery County Land Bank to support local communities in their efforts to clean up and redevelop environmentally contaminated sites known as brownfields.
To apply for this grant, the Land Bank formed a coalition with the city of Riverside and Five Rivers Metro Parks. Applying as a coalition of three partner entities, with the Land Bank as lead, allowed the request to be considered under a grant category that offers larger awards. The Land Bank will manage the grant program.
“We hope ultimately to support our partner communities in transforming their troubled properties from eyesores into assets,” said Land Bank Executive Director Paul Bradley.
The Land Bank received a similar grant in 2022, in the amount of $500,000, and will continue to work with Montgomery County jurisdictions on environmental assessment and remedial planning activities to get contaminated properties cleaned up and returned to productive reuse.
“This funding will enable the Land Bank to sustain and expand our efforts in communities across the county affected by brownfields and disinvestment,” said Montgomery County Land Bank Board of Directors Chair Carolyn Rice. “By advancing the redevelopment of these sites, we can stimulate private investment and create new opportunities in historically underserved areas, generating a positive ripple effect throughout the region.”
The new grant also funds the development of reuse plans.
“This planning work will empower communities to not only understand the current conditions and necessary remediation of brownfield sites, but also envision their potential futures and develop clear pathways to successful redevelopment,” said Land Bank Planning and Acquisitions Manager Susan Vincent.
