May 3, 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 Benzie County. The clean-up project will utilize a $735,387 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and a $250,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan to address environmental concerns and facilitate the development of three properties in the village of Elberta.

The funding was awarded as a part of Governor Granholm’s Jobs Today Initiative that will put thousands of Michigan residents to work through acceleration of construction and development projects. The project announced today is anticipated to create as many as 300 new permanent jobs in Elberta.

"Returning abandoned and contaminated properties to a productive use is critical to Michigan's environmental and economic progress and is an essential part of our economic plan," Granholm said. "Michigan's cities need as many tools as possible to make their communities places where people are eager to work, live, and raise families."

The Elberta Waterfront Project will return three contaminated, abandoned, and idle properties to productive use. The three parcels within the 30-acre site have been used as a railroad roundhouse and freight dock, asphalt storage, a cannery, and auto repair shop. The funding will be used to prevent exposure to contaminants and to demolish asphalt storage structures.

Following this work, private investment of over $100 million is anticipated for acquisition of the property; renovation of the old roundhouse for commercial use; and construction of new commercial, retail, and condominium buildings. The Betsie Valley and Beach-to-Beach trails will be connected through the property to Elberta’s waterfront park to enhance local recreational opportunities and link Elberta’s downtown and waterfront.

“We are pleased to help remove the barriers that stand in the way of redevelopment,” said Director Chester. “This project will create new opportunities for Elberta, and demonstrates our commitment to providing for a healthy environment and a healthy economy throughout Michigan.”

The Brownfield Redevelopment Program provides funding to local governments 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 $123.7 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 May 3, 2006 by Pat Watson