News & Events

USEPA announces winners of FY2022 EPA ARC Grant competition. Applicants from New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico were awarded over $7.2 million in funding. This is quite an accomplishment considering this is a highly competitive program. These funds will allow recipients to take blighted properties that negatively impact vulnerable communities and turn them back into productive community assets. Congratulations to the Region 2 Winners! For a detailed list of funded applicants click HERE.

The six counties of Mohawk Valley came together on April 12 & 13, 2022 to present a unique exploration of opportunities to revitalize and invest in the Mohawk Valley. This regional approach to brownfields redevelopment highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaboration for successfully achieving brownfield goals. 

Watch the event video HERE.

More event details and presentations can be found HERE.

In collaboration with the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Protection has enhanced its Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping application, creating a Brownfields Inventory mapping layer that makes valuable information about brownfields sites easily accessible, helping investors, developers, community leaders, Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs), and the public identify brownfields with redevelopment potential. For the full press release please click HERE.

NY State's State Brownfield Cleanup Program continues to promote comprehensive cleanups and economic redevelopment in communities across the state with 48 cleanups completed in 2020, as well as 94 new sites accepted into the program.

For more details follow this LINK.

The Brownfields Impact Fund provides low-interest loans ranging from $50K to $350K for cleanup activities on brownfields.  Additionally, grants are available to eligible entities (non-profits and government entities) for $25K up to $350K.

Applications will open on January 20th, 2022 and be accepted on a rolling basis. Loans and grants will be awarded on a first come, first served, based on the readiness of the application and the availability of funds.  For the initial 90 days after program launch, only applications for projects located in the target Community Collaborative Initiative (CCI) cities will be considered. This will prioritize investment in these communities which have high instances of brownfields, poverty, health disparities and need for revitalization. After 90 days, the program will be open throughout the state

Learn more and prepare to apply today at https://www.njeda.com/brownfieldsimpactfund.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) released a draft “EJ Action Plan: Building Up Environmental Justice in EPA's Land Protection and Cleanup Programs". The plan highlights projects, tools, and practices to be applied to its land pollution prevention and cleanup programs. These programs include Superfund, Brownfields, Emergency Response, Solid Waste Management and Corrective Action, and Underground Storage Tanks. EPA will provide opportunities for meaningful public input at upcoming virtual and in-person public engagement events in 2022.

OLEM's draft Environmental Justice Action Plan is part of a whole-of-government and EPA-wide effort to address the nation's environmental justice challenges in line with the priorities identified by President Biden and EPA Administrator Regan.

You can access the draft plan HERE.

Following the passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on November 6th, the EPA will be making significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities. The law includes $1.5 Billion to scale-up community-led Brownfields Revitalization, so that blighted and polluted sites in communities across America can be assessed, cleaned up and made available for safe reuse, spurring job creation and economic opportunity in areas that need it most. For more information, 

For more information visit https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure.

Click here to review the fact sheet.

When it comes to brownfields, it's never too early to start identifying and implementing solutions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 invites you to participate in their next workshop to discuss how organizations can learn about the Brownfields program, the funding opportunities available under the program and the technical assistance available to communities.

The following topics will be covered: 

• What are brownfields?
• What funding opportunities are available?
• What can you do with the program funding?
• What other types of assistance are available?
• Who are the contacts I need to know?

When: 
May 16, 2022

Where:
University of the Virgin Islands-St. Croix
Theater Room EVC 401
P692+7W2, Grove Place, St Croix 00851
U.S. Virgin Islands

Registration is free, but seats are limited! 
Register HERE!

Vaccination requirements: The University requires all visitors to be Fully vaccinated.