EPA announces the largest investment ever in Brownfields communities made by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

May 25, 2023

SEATTLE (May 25, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $4,568,689 from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of seven brownfield sites in Washington while advancing environmental justice. 

Washington’s communities will receive EPA funds through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grant programs, as well as the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program. 

“This historic investment from EPA’s Brownfields program demonstrates the Biden Administration’s commitment to building stronger neighborhoods and spurring economic development, especially in overburdened and underserved areas,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “These grants will help communities assess and clean up contaminated properties, which is often a catalyst for revitalization. We are proud that we can help these communities make progress and thrive.”    

These investments totaling $315 million are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient. 

“Federal dollars for projects in Grays Harbor County and in Port Orchard aren’t just investments in environmental cleanup – they’re investments in the health, well-being, and prosperity of our region,” said Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “By having the federal government lend support to these projects, we can help drive economic growth and protect our natural environment without the costs falling entirely on the backs of folks in our region. This is a big win.”  

“Cleaning up Tumwater’s Brewery District and Capitol Boulevard Corridor is crucial to protecting public health and ushering in new economic activity to the area,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). “I’m proud to deliver today’s EPA funding to kickstart the restoration of an important community site and ensure a clean environment in the South Sound.”  

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfield sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.  

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

The following organizations in Washington were selected to receive EPA brownfields funding:  

• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation – $768,689 to conduct nine Phase I and 14 Phase II environmental site assessments; prepare two cleanup plans and to conduct community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the Colville Indian Reservation.  

• Grays Harbor Council of Governments – $1,000,000 to conduct 18 Phase I and 14 Phase II environmental site assessments; prepare 10 cleanup plans, four reuse plans, and one area-wide plan, and to conduct community engagement activities. Activities will focus on Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Elma, Cosmopolis and Oakville.  

  • “Thank you, this is fantastic news for our region! The EPA Brownfield grant is a lifeline to our communities. This investment enables us to breathe new life into vacant industrial properties and blends seamlessly to support ongoing critical projects,” said Vicki Cummings, Executive Director of Grays Harbor Council of Governments. “It is an injection of hope, a catalyst for economic development and a foundation for future growth. For rural communities such as ours it is without a doubt the most useful tool in our toolbox.” 

• City of Kelso – $500,000 to prepare two cleanup plans and support reuse planning and community outreach activities including public meetings. The target area for this grant is the City of Kelso with a focus on its Urban Downtown Core and the South Kelso Waterfront. 

• Port of Bremerton – $800,000 to conduct up to six Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, develop a cleanup plan and conduct cleanup activities in the City of Port Orchard. 

  • “This grant represents a significant milestone for our community, as it serves as a catalyst for the remarkable transformation of our downtown waterfront,” said James Weaver, Port of Bremerton Marine Facilities Director. “Through the investment in redeveloping Brownfield properties, we are not only breathing new life into our cityscape but also making a profound positive impact on our shoreland environment.” 

• Port of Whitman County – $500,000 to conduct nine Phase I and five Phase II environmental site assessments, develop three cleanup plans and two site reuse plans, and support community outreach activities. The target areas Colfax, Rosalia and LaCrosse. 

  • “We are excited to work alongside EPA and our rural Whitman County communities to create a plan for identifying and revitalizing brownfield sites across the Palouse,” said Port Executive Director Kara Riebold. “EPA’s Brownfields Grant Program is a tremendous opportunity to improve both the health of our environment and economy in Whitman County.” 

• Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium – $500,000 to conduct 10 Phase I and seven Phase II environmental site assessments, prepare four cleanup plans and one area-wide plan, and conduct community engagement activities. Target areas for this grant are the Northeast, East Central and West Central Spokane. 

  • “This Brownfield grant is great news for the Spokane Region!  The Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium’s Land Bank will be able to further production in the Spokane region, leading to a better housing environment for everyone,” said Ben Stuckart, Executive Director of Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium. 

• City of Tumwater – $500,000 to conduct 15 Phase I and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments, develop five cleanup plans and support community outreach and reuse planning activities. The target areas for this grant are the City’s Brewery District and Capitol Boulevard Corridor.  

Additionally, the Center for Creative Land Recycling will receive $5,000,000 to provide training and technical assistance to communities in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program.  

EPA is also expanding the scope of its technical assistance offerings under the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program to include three new subject-specific grants totaling $2 million. 

More information about Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research 

FY23 EPA Brownfield Technical Assistance Grant Selections    

Additional Background: 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment.  

Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfield Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.  

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfield sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. 

More information on EPA’s Brownfield Grants 

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program