Vermont Business Magazine The Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC) has been awarded a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment grant by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. Addison County is home to a variety of abandoned 19th and 20th century industrial and commercial properties (brownfields).
With a legacy of over 200 years of resource extraction and goods-producing industries it is estimated that there are over 50 hazardous substance and petroleum-impacted brownfields scattered throughout the Addison County region, including former mills and industrial facilities, landfills and junkyard sites, former gas stations and auto-related businesses, and other vacant and underutilized properties.
ACRPC is well positioned to coordinate brownfield efforts throughout Addison County given their partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), local community groups, private developers, and landowners. ACRPC has had prior success implementing EPA assessment grants in Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007. Brownfield sites successfully cleaned up included the Haviland Shade Roller Mill in Vergennes, Silver Towers Camp in Ripton, and sites on Main Street in Whiting and sites on Court Street in Middlebury.
Grant funds will be available to assess contamination, leading to application for redevelopment funding to revitalize brownfield properties. Revitalization goals include providing affordable housing, enhancing parks and recreational spaces, and generating business opportunities that help to stabilize the area and spur economic growth.
ACRPC and ACEDC are seeking to identify eligible contaminated properties to conduct assessments. At least one priority site will be selected by each target area community, with an estimated 12 to 18 sites anticipated to be assessed. ACRPC will facilitate project management, community engagement, site inventory and prioritization, surveying, and the development of cleanup and reuse plans.
Addison County Regional Planning Commission 6.2.2022
