Florida Governor Crist Applauds $4.8 Million For Florida's Communities

Federal brownfields grants restore environment, stimulate economy

May 13, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today congratulated ten Florida communities for being awarded $4.8 million in brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The cities of Clearwater, Cocoa, Eustis, New Smyrna, Plant City, St. Marks, Tallahassee, and Tampa, as well as the Central Florida Regional Planning Council and Dixie County received grants to clean up and redevelop brownfields sites within their communities.

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The EPA grants include $2.2 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and $2.6 million in funding from the EPA brownfields general program. With this year’s addition of federal recovery dollars, Florida communities received more than twice the amount of funding received in 2008.

“With this grant funding, we can continue our strong commitment to Florida’s economy through the redevelopment of brownfield sites,” said Governor Crist. “Together with the state’s efforts, this additional funding is building stronger communities, bringing new business opportunities into Florida’s cities and providing jobs for our residents.”

The ten successful Florida proposals were selected from a nationwide list of 697 proposals for federal funding based on community need and public involvement. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) assisted applicants with the grant process and will provide continued support to redevelop properties and return them to the community.

“Redevelopment of brownfields sites removes contamination, builds stronger communities and creates economic opportunities,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “With the help of Florida’s brownfields program and federal grants, these communities can stimulate the local economy and revitalize a site that would have otherwise remained idle and abandoned.”

Grant recipients include:

Central Florida Regional Planning Council – The Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Polk County and the cities of Mulberry and Fort Meade partnered as a coalition and received two brownfields coalition assessment grants totaling $1,000,000 (ARRA Funding).
City of Clearwater – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000 (ARRA Funding).
City of Cocoa – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000 (ARRA Funding).
Dixie County – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000.
City of Eustis – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000.
City of New Smyrna Beach – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000.
City of Plant City – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000.
City of St. Marks – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000.
City of Tallahassee – Three brownfields cleanup grants totaling $600,000.
City of Tampa – Two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000 (ARRA Funding).

Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution. State and federal brownfield redevelopment programs help communities revitalize properties environmentally, restore economic vitality and mitigate potential health risks to areas where brownfields exist.

The federal Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002 authorizes up to $250 million in funds annually for brownfields grants. With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $100 million was added to federal brownfields funding. Together with financial awards, participants in the brownfields program can access expertise and other resources from more than 20 federal agencies.

DEP’s brownfields redevelopment program, which began in 1998, is one of the fastest growing programs in the nation with a steady annual increase in development projects. Today, there are more than 130 brownfield projects underway and 225 designated brownfield areas in Florida. Based upon economic and regulatory incentives, the program uses private revenue to clean up and redevelop sites, create new jobs and enhance the local economy.

For more information about Florida’s brownfields program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/brownfields/default.htm. For more information on the federal brownfields grants, visit www.epa.gov/brownfields/eparecovery/index.htm.

For more information about Florida’s use of federal recovery dollars made available through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, please visit www.FlaRecovery.com.

Source: Florida Governor