EPA Awards Grant to Howard County Communities

May 29, 2012

News Release

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected the City of Kokomo for a brownfields coalition grant. The coalition is a partnership of Kokomo, Howard County and the towns of Greentown and Russiaville. The City of Kokomo is the lead Coalition applicant member.

The EPA defines brownfield sites as real property where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.

Funds will be made available later this year to inventory and assess Howard County brownfield sites for petroleum contaminants and hazardous substances, a federally mandated requirement before any remediation can begin.

“Revitalizing brownfield sites in our communities is vital to our health and development of our local economies,” said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. “This grant is an excellent example of how partnerships and collaboration among the City, County, Greentown and Russiaville can and will benefit our local economy and quality of life. These funds will facilitate the redevelopment process that the private sector is often reluctant to fund.”

The City of Kokomo intends to use the grant funds to conduct an inventory update of brownfields, conduct cleanup planning programs and support community outreach activities.

Source: City of Kokomo