February 3. 2004

Department of Environmental Quality Announces Brownfield Grant and Loan Applications Now Available The Department of Environmental Quality is accepting applications for brownfield grants and loans from local governments, Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities, and other eligible applicants, beginning February 1, 2004.

Applications are being accepted for eligible projects that may include funding for site assessment evaluations, preparation of Baseline Environmental Assessments, due care activities, and other response activities associated with preparing a brownfield property for redevelopment. The property must be a known or suspected site of environmental contamination based on the historic use of the site.

Brownfields are generally considered to be abandoned, idle, or underutilized industrial or commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

Brownfield grants and loans are available to assist communities to bring new development to brownfield properties. Grants and loans can be combined with other tools, such as tax increment financing and Single Business Tax credit, to successfully redevelop brownfield sites.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently signed new legislation to redirect $55 million in Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) funds to the Brownfield Grants and Loans Program. Grant and loan awards will be contingent on the appropriation of this funding as well as the sale of CMI bonds. Communities are encouraged to move ahead and develop applications in anticipation of available funding.

Michigan’s Brownfield Program is regarded as one of the best in the country, according to Mr. Robert Colangelo of the National Brownfield Association. Since 1990, the Michigan Brownfield Program has awarded over $109.4 million to over 258 projects across the state. The grants and loans have leveraged over $1.9 billion in private investment and helped create 8,117 jobs. The DEQ was accepting applications on a continual basis until August 2002, when all CMI grant programs were suspended due to state budget issues.

Applications received by March 31, 2004, will be evaluated for immediate funding, based on funding availability. After March 31, 2004, applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and evaluated against program criteria to determine subsequent awards with any remaining funding.

Application materials and information on the DEQ’s Brownfield Program grants and loans can be obtained by contacting the DEQ at 517-373-9540.

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

Revised February 3, 2004 by Pat Watson