Writing a Brownsfield happy ending July 1
I love a happy ending to a story wrought with challenges, like the underdog baseball team that overcomes the odds and goes to the World Series.
Or, the penniless inventor who worked out of his garage to grow a world conglomerate business.
And, don't forget the one about the abandoned factory site that was converted to a group of thriving neighborhood shops. This was the one made possible in part due to the friendly area economic development organization and their Brownfield assessment grant.
A version of this story is being written in St. Joseph County.
In October 2004, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners established a countywide Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to assist in the revitalization of contaminated properties thoughout the county.
The Authority is managed under the umbrella of the St. Joseph County EDC. We began with a $400,000 Brownfield assessment grant from the U.S. Environmrntal Protection Agency.
To date, in excess of $130,000 has been spent on assessment projects on the deck that will use approximately $60,000 more.
Familiar with the empty lots where the Newport and Paramount factories once stood in Sturgis? Those properties are being assessed for potential future use. Likewise, assessments are beginning on the old Three Rivers Hospital near Scidmore Park.
If it is possible and economically viable to redevelop these sites, I will feel good knowing the county Brownfield Authority played a part.
The Brownfield Authority funds can be used on eligible properties for various environmental assessment activities, including Phase 1 environmental site assessments, soil and groundwater sampling, asbestos surveys, baselines evironmental assessments, due care plans and Brownfield planning.
Do you know of any blighted sites in the county that could be a viable business operation with the help of an assessment to get process started? Give me a call at 467-5663.
I'd like to add more chapters to our county's Brownfield redevelopment story.
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