EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration announces $33 million in Brownfield Grants to rehabilitate and revitalize communities in Maine through Investing in America agenda

Funded by $1.5 billion investment into Brownfields sites from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address legacy pollution, advance environmental justice, and create healthier communities

Contact information: Vikram Lakshmanan, Lakshmanan.Vikram@epa.gov, 617-918-1064;  EPA Region 1 Press Office (R1_Press@epa.gov) 

BOSTON (May 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $33,000,000 in grant awards from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in Maine while advancing environmental justice. These investments through EPA’s Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Programs will help transform once-polluted, vacant, and abandoned properties into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities.

EPA selected eight communities in Maine to receive nine grants totaling $22 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant programs. In addition, the agency is announcing $11 million in supplemental funding to four existing, high-performing Brownfields RLF Grant Programs to help expedite their continued work at sites in Maine.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the awards in Philadelphia today alongside Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon at a local brownfield side near Bartram’s Mile. For over 60 years, the site was used as an oil terminal, filled with storage tanks full of petroleum and other semi-volatile organic compounds. The City of Philadelphia has been working to reclaim brownfield sites along Bartram’s Mile, turning them into a community hub where residents can access trails for hiking and biking, as well as areas for fishing, gardening, farming and more.

“Far too many communities across America have suffered the harmful economic and health consequences of living near polluted brownfield sites,” said President Joe Biden. “I've long believed that people who’ve borne the burden of pollution should be the first to see the benefits of new investment. Under my Administration, we are making that a reality by ensuring the historic resources from my Investing in America agenda reach communities that need it most. I am proud that my Administration is helping Philadelphia clean up and transform this area into an economic engine, while tackling a longstanding environmental injustice and creating good-paying jobs.”

“President Biden sees contaminated sites and blighted areas as an opportunity to invest in healthier, revitalized communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why he secured historic funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supercharging EPA’s Brownfields program to clean up contaminated properties in overburdened communities and bring them back into productive use.”

“Brownfields grants are gamechangers—they turn polluted, abandoned sites into thriving community spaces. This isn’t just about cleaning up the environment; it’s about revitalizing neighborhoods, creating good jobs, and ensuring healthier living for everyone—it’s a win-win-win-win-win-win,” said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “This additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping to transform contaminated properties into valuable community assets, making a real difference for Maine families, especially in the areas that need it most.”

“The Brownfields Program has proven to be a major benefit to the overall health of Maine communities,” said U.S. Senator Susan Collins. “In addition to cleaning up hazardous substances and improving our environment, these investments will help communities create new development opportunities to attract businesses, provide good housing, and create good jobs for Mainers.”

“Hazardous sites are not only a danger to the health of our communities, but they also limit important economic activity. With extreme climate events increasingly jeopardizing these vulnerable areas, investments in local infrastructure and the health of our citizens are paramount to helping towns mitigate further pollution and keeping our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee. “Thanks to historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $32 million in Brownfields grants funding will help cleanup and redevelop hazardous sites across our state—revitalizing communities, spurring economic development, and protecting the health of Mainers.”

“In too many communities, brownfields are constant reminders of how failed policies or faraway decisionmakers have left communities in the dust. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law isn’t just finding new uses for these sites: many of these investments are also helping revive the same heritage industries that supported rural Mainers for generations,” said Congressman Jared Golden.

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.

EPA’s Brownfields Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations in all aspects of its work. Approximately 86% of the MAC and RLF Supplemental program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include disadvantaged communities.

 

State Funding Breakdown:

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Program Selection

The following organizations in Maine have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs.

• Caleb Foundation has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Robinson Manufacturing Mill located at 283 King Street in the Town of Oxford. The 5-acre cleanup site operated as a dam, woolen mill, sawmill, and grist mill from the late 1700s until closing in 2003. It has been vacant since then and is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, inorganic contaminants, heavy metals, and PCBs. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
• Kennebec Valley Council of Governments has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct eight Phase I and eight Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop an inventory of brownfield sites, conduct at least four community meetings, and perform other community engagement activities. Assessment activities will occur throughout KVCOG’s service area of Kennebec, Somerset, and western Waldo Counties with a focus on the Cities of Fairfield, Skowhegan, Waterville, and Bingham. Priority sites include a 1908 colonial revival brick building, a 123,000-square-foot former wood product manufacturing and veneer mill facility, and former fueling stations.
• Town of Lincoln has been selected to receive $5 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Lincoln Paper and Tissue Parcel 3 East site located at 50 Katahdin Avenue. The 1.2-acre sub-parcel cleanup site operated as a pulp mill that processed black ash/soda (sodium carbonate) and sulfite pulp until its closure in 2015. The site is contaminated with inorganic contaminants, heavy metals, hazardous substances, and PCBs. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
• Our Katahdin has been selected to receive $5 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Former Great Northern Paper Company Wastewater Treatment Plant Lagoons located at 1 Katahdin Avenue in the City of Millinocket. The 27-acre cleanup site was used to manage and treat paper mill wastewater. The site is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, extractable petroleum hydrocarbons, and metals. Grant funds also will be used to prepare a Community Involvement Plan and conduct community engagement activities.
• Portland Housing Development Corporation has been selected to receive $1 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Former Kiley Parcel site located at 33 West Presumpscot Street in the City of Portland. The 0.41-acre cleanup site was formerly a tidal wetland known as Hansom’s Creek that was filled with contaminated urban fill land at various dates from the 1830s to 1960s and was developed as a residential property in 1922. It is contaminated with benzo(a)pyrene and lead. Grant funds also will be used to prepare a Community Engagement Plan, develop an information repository, and conduct community engagement activities.
• City of Sanford has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant and $5 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant.
  • Community-wide Brownfields Assessment Grant funds will be used to conduct 10 Phase I and seven Phase II environmental site assessments, prepare four cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. The target area for the Assessment grant is the City of Sanford’s Historic Mill Yard. Priority sites include the 7.2-acre International Woolen Mill site, the 9.5-acre Emery Mill site, and the 3.53-acre Wasco Mill site.
  • The Brownfields Cleanup Grant will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be used to clean up the International Woolen Mill Boiler House located at Pioneer Avenue. The cleanup site operated as a boiler house with coal-fired boilers that were converted to fuel oil in the 1920s and is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, inorganic contaminants, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and light nonaqueous phase liquid. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities.
• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission has been selected to receive $500,000 for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct 10 Phase I and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to prepare 10 cleanup plans and to conduct community engagement activities including at least eight community meetings. Assessment activities will focus on the City of Biddeford, the City of Sanford, and the Town of Parsonsfield. Priority sites include a 1-acre former foundry and machine shop and two former mill sites.
• City of Westbrook has been selected to receive $4 million for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grant funds will be used to clean up the River Walk North site located at 12 Water Street and Bridge Street. From 1793 until 1997, the 5-acre cleanup site had multiple industrial uses, including as a sawmill and mill dam, an iron wire manufacturer and lumber manufacturer, the Dana Warp Mill, and the SD Warren Power station. The dam and power plant were removed between 2019 to 2021 and the site is currently undeveloped. It is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community engagement activities and draft a Community Relations Plan.

To see the list of the FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup applicants selected for funding, visit EPA’s FY 2024  Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.

 

Non-competitive Supplemental Funding Through the Existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Program

In addition, the Agency is announcing $11 million in non-competitive supplemental funding to four successful existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant programs in Maine that have already achieved success in their work to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. RLF Grants provide funding for recipients to offer loans and subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. The funding announced today will help communities continue to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfield sites. The following Maine organizations have been selected to receive non-competitive Supplemental Funding Through the Existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Program.

• Eastern Maine Development Corporation has been selected to receive $3 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in addition to the $1 million in EPA funds already awarded, because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to four cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include the Great Northern Paper Mill Complex in Millinocket and the Navel Building 85 Complex in Corea. The mill complex is being addressed by parcel and this portion of the work being funded will result in the creation of an aquaculture center and wood product manufacturing facility. Approximately $12 million is expected to be generated from the private developers. The Navel Building is also anticipated to provide new aquaculture resources to the region along with a new solar development project to improve climate resiliency. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in Penobscot, Hancock, Piscataquis, and Waldo Counties.
• Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has been selected to receive $3.5 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in addition to the $11,524,983 in EPA funds already awarded, because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to 48 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include the Baked Bean Factory in Portland and Beals Linen in Auburn. The Beals Linen cleanup will replace an abandoned dry cleaner with a Police Athletic League Center to support a community center providing daycare, preschool, and afterschool programs in a disadvantaged community. The Baked Bean Factory redevelopment will provide the community with a center for digital engineering and life sciences education. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in the state of Maine.
• Piscataquis County Economic Development Council has been selected to receive $1 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in addition to the $1,750,000 in EPA funds already awarded, because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to six cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include Erkkiworld Auto Site in Greenville Junction and the Former Braeburn Hotel in Guilford. Both cleanups will lead to commercial redevelopment of underutilized properties and the creation of jobs and services for these small communities. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in Piscataquis County.
• Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission has been selected to receive $3.5 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in addition to the $15,820,000 in EPA funds already awarded, because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to 25 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include Prime Tanning in Berwick and Old Post Road Parcels in Kittery. The Prime Tanning redevelopment is anticipated to provide mixed-use commercial and residential development in downtown Berwick, creating 265 housing units and 40 new retail and commercial spaces. Funds for Old Post Road will add to current cleanup efforts and result in at least eight affordable housing units. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in 39 Towns in York County, southern Oxford County, and Cumberland County.

To see the list of RLF Supplemental funding recipients, visit EPA’s FY 2024  Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.

 

Additional Background:

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfield sites to address the health, economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. Prior to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this program made approximately $60 million available each year. Thanks to the President’s historic investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has now increased that yearly investment nearly 400 percent. More than half of the funding available for this grant cycle (approximately $160 million) comes from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment has also allowed the MAC grants’ maximum award amounts to increase significantly from $500,000 to a new maximum of $5 million per award.

To see the list of the FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup applicants selected for funding, visit EPA’s FY 2024  Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.

To see the list of RLF Supplemental funding recipients, visit EPA’s FY 2024  Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Applicants webpage.

To learn more about RLF Technical Assistance grant recipient, visit EPA’s Brownfields Grow America webpage.

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields Program, visit EPA’s Brownfields webpage.  

  

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