December 21, 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 Clare County. The cleanup project will receive $416,000 in Brownfield Grant and Loan funding to address environmental concerns and facilitate the redevelopment of a contaminated property in the city of Harrison. This is the first project in Clare County to receive grant or loan Brownfield Redevelopment Program funding.

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 expected to result in over 100 new jobs and private investment of $13 million in Harrison's proposed Harrison Area Economic Development Corporation (HAEDCO) Industrial Park.

"It is imperative for the state to partner with local communities to redevelop our cities," said Governor Granholm. "These projects allow us to create a real investment in Michigan's environmental and economic future."

The HAEDCO Industrial Park development will be located at the site of a former cement mixing facility. The grant will be used to demolish old buildings on the property, and the loan will be used to address environmental contamination resulting from the property's prior use. The cement business closed in 2004.

Following completion of the demolition and environmental response activities, private investment of over $13 million is expected. The HAEDCO will purchase the property and pay for infrastructure improvements, then sell lots for industrial use. The HAEDCO is working with industries interested in locating within the proposed industrial park.

"The funding we've provided will remove barriers standing in the way of redevelopment, and create new opportunities for the Harrison community," said Director Chester.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan 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 $132 million for 310 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"