March 16, 2006

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that funds have been awarded to a brownfield redevelopment project in the city of Grandville in Kent County. The $1,000,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan was awarded as a part of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Jobs Today Initiative that will put thousands of Michigan residents to work through construction and development projects.

"Returning abandoned and contaminated properties to a productive use is critical to Michigan's environmental and economic progress and is a central theme in my Jobs Today program," Granholm said. "We want to provide Michigan's cities with as many tools as possible to make their communities places where people are eager to work, live, and raise families."

The Scott T. Bosgraaf Project, located in the former Nelson Metal Products facility, will return a contaminated and idle industrial facility to productive use. The 37-acre site has been used through its history for zinc and aluminum die casting.

The funding announced today will address environmental concerns at the site and facilitate the private investment of over $4,866,000 that is anticipated for acquisition of the property and renovation of the building for small light industrial users and warehousing. The project is projected to create as many as 200 new permanent jobs for the community.

“Brownfield redevelopment is a vital part of Michigan’s environmental, economic, and land use strategies,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “This project will create new opportunities for Grandville, and demonstrates our commitment to providing for a healthy environment and a healthy economy throughout Michigan.”

The Brownfield Redevelopment Program provides funding to local units of government for environmental response activities on brownfield properties where redevelopment is proposed. Brownfield properties are vacant or abandoned properties with known or suspected environmental contamination. The Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan Program was initiated in 1988, and has provided over $122.7 million for 298 projects statewide.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised March 16, 2006 by Linda Crawford for Pat Watson