Hoosier Communities Score Grants

Ten communities and organizations throughout the state will receive a share of more than $4 million in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants. The money will support efforts to assess potential redevelopment of brownfield sites. Indiana recipients are:

Columbus – Community-wide Assessment – $400,000

Henry County – Assessment Coalition – $500,000

Huntington – Community-wide Assessment – $350,000

Indianapolis – Community-wide Assessment – $400,000

Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission in Northwestern Indiana – Assessment Coalition – $500,000

Kokomo – Assessment Coalition – $500,000

Lake Station – Community-wide Assessment – $350,000

Lawrence – Community-wide Assessment – $400,000

Rushville – Community-wide Assessment – $364,000

Southern Indiana Development Commission – Assessment Coalition – $500,000

You can connect to the full list of recipients by clicking here.

In total, the EPA selected more than 240 recipients involving over $54 million.

In a statement, Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey says “A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.” He says the city will apply for additional grants of this kind once the three-years of assessment are complete following this round.

Columbus plans to use its $400,000 grant for assessment that aligns with its overall strategies of growing residential and educational opportunities, enhancing greenspace and and adding retail stores and services.

EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus says “these communities have demonstrated a plan to leverage their grants and partnerships to achieve economic and environmental revitalization to meet their needs for jobs.” He adds the funding will help “transform” the sites.