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Pulaski County to Receive $3 Million Grant from EPA

Release Date: 5/10/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Pulaski County, Ark., has been selected to receive a $3,000,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund, EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced today.

     "Brownfields grants help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use," Greene said. "I am glad that EPA can support the good work Pulaski County has begun and I look forward to applauding its achievements."

     "Pulaski County leaders have been partnering for several years with the county's largest cities - Little Rock and North Little Rock - on Brownfield issues," Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Marcus C. Devine said. "The result of their efforts is a significant grant which will be loaned out for environmental cleanup at redevelopment projects in Pulaski County."

     This grant will increase funding options available to developers in this area and complement ADEQ's Brownfield Revolving Loan Program funded by EPA in 2003.  Pulaski County formed a coalition with Little Rock and North Little Rock to offer funding and technical assistance for cleanup planning and remediation of Brownfields.  

     Pulaski County has identified two potential loan candidates.  Audubon Arkansas, a local nonprofit organization, plans a community center and education facility for Fourche Creek Restoration project, an Urban River Initiative Pilot.  Main Street Argenta, a local nonprofit organization, is interested in redeveloping North Little Rock along the Arkansas River.

     Main Street Argenta is also a recipient of an EPA Brownfields cleanup grant of $200,000 to address a Smarthouse Way property. The site will be developed into condominiums.

     Two other Arkansas groups will receive EPA grants.  The Ark-Tex Council of Governments will receive a $200,000 assessment grant and the Camden Port Authority will receive a $50,880 cleanup grant.

     A Brownfield is a property which may have expansion, redevelopment or reuse challenges from hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. EPA's Brownfields program is designed to help stakeholders prevent, assess, safely clean and sustainably reuse these properties.  Reinvesting in Brownfields increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, uses existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off undeveloped land, and improves and protects the environment.

     Four categories of Brownfields grants are being announced nationwide today to 218 applicants selected to receive 302 grants totaling $75.9 million.  More information about EPA's Brownfields program and the grant recipients is available at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/.  An audio clip is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/radio.htm.