Ohio GM plant reflects possible future of Shreveport site

Source: Shreveport Times, A. Duvernay
08/21/12

Public details of possible tenants of the facility now occupied by General Motors' Shreveport assembly plant are few, but a now-closed site in Ohio may demonstrate the process by which the local plant is purchased and repackaged. Last week, RACER Trust announced that GM's former stamping plant in Mansfield-Ontario would be sold to Brownfield Communities Development Co., a deal that could mean hundreds of jobs.... Some differences exist, both between the Shreveport and Ontario sites and the expectations for tenants. But what worked in Ontario could be an early indication of the future of the Shreveport site, RACER Trust redevelopment manager Bruce Rasher said.

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Questions About Florida Brownfield Tax Breaks

'Brownfield' companies get tax break without proof of pollution

By Sandra Pedicini
Orlando Sentinel (FL)
August 18, 2012

A state program created to redevelop polluted areas is doling out tax
breaks for companies that lease offices in downtown high-rises, build
on pastureland and open restaurants on busy highways, even when there
is no proof they are on contaminated land.

 From January 2011 through April 2012 alone, about $11 million in tax
refunds have been approved for dozens of businesses, according to a
database accidentally released in June by the state Department of
Economic Opportunity. In some instances local governments would not
contribute their share, which means the overall total could be lower.

The companies range from Orlando startup video-game developer Row
Sham Bow to Fortune 500 corporations including Darden Restaurants and
Publix Super Markets.
Many businesses can receive up to $2,500 per job during several years
when they open or expand in so-called "brownfields," defined as
properties underdeveloped because of actual or perceived
environmental pollution.

Companies are getting the breaks largely because Florida's brownfield
initiative has a major loophole, critics say. To be eligible, there
is no need to prove that anything needs cleaning up. The perception
alone of contamination is enough under the vaguely written law.

...

For the entire article, see
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-18/business/os-florida- brownfield-tax-breaks-20120818_1_brownfield-areas-brownfield-program- polluted-areas
brownfield-tax-breaks-20120818_1_brownfield-areas-brownfield-program-
polluted-areas

Brownfields Area Wide Planning Grant Summary

The area-wide planning approach will enhance EPA’s core brownfields assistance programs through a locally-driven planning process that results in an action strategy for brownfields redevelopment. The BF AWP program is intended to further community-based partnership efforts, especially those within under-served or economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Municipalities and non-profits may confront local environmental and public health challenges related to brownfields, while creating a planning framework to advance economic development and job creation.

While traditional brownfields grants are site-specific, this Area Wide Planning approach allows municipal staff to think more broadly about vacant lands and brownfields as part of a neighborhood revitalization plan. Although the funds are exclusively devoted to planning activities, there is a strong emphasis on establishing near-term priorities to pursue via immediate implementation steps. In effect, it is an action plan that allows cities to immediately get to work in transforming these vacant spaces into contributing places. As a Partnership for Sustainable Communities grant, the plan implementation also has the support of other federal agencies, most notably HUD and DOT.

Fact Sheet
EPA recently posted a new fact sheet on Brownfields Area-Wide Planning: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/areawide_grants.htm.

BF AWP grant talking points and timeline:

• EPA grant program to provide planning assistance (not for site assessment or cleanup)

Assistance given for:

• - advancing an ongoing local planning process,
• - developing a brownfields area-wide plan, and
• - identifying next steps and resources needed to implement the plan

…within a brownfields-impacted area such as a neighborhood, district, corridor, etc

Brownfields Area Wide Planning is a unique approach to older, industrial neighborhoods because:

• Multiple sites are often connected through infrastructure and location
• Area revitalization is critical to the successful long-term reuse of the property
• Approaching assessment and cleanup for an area can be more effective than a site-by-site focus
• Leveraging local/state/federal funding will help communities revitalize contaminated sites

Summary of pilot program (FY 2010) grantees:

• Planning areas consist of waterfronts, downtown areas and neighborhoods, commercial corridors, old industrial areas, etc – mix of rural and urban communities
• FY10 competition held; 23 pilots selected
• Each grant award is up to $175,000 (Next funding round will allow up to $200K)
• Awarded to 16 local governments, 6 non-profits, and 1 tribe
• Grantees can choose to contract with consultants, non-profits, or complete the planning activities in-house
• As an example, latest information on the efforts in Goshen, IN available at: http://www.development-concepts.com/goshen/.

Anticipated EPA Grant Competition Timeline:

• Mid-September 2012 – Brownfields Area Wide Planning Requests for Proposals
• Mid-November 2012 – Proposal Submission Deadline
• Spring 2013 – Approx. $5 million to be awarded nationwide
• Application to be posted on Brownfields website: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm

$100 Million Environmental Grant Program Launched

$100 Million Environmental Grant Program Launched

Wells Fargo & Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are launching a new environmental grant program that will award $100 million to nonprofit organizations and universities by 2020. The five-year program will promote environmental stewardship in communities across the United States. Funded projects will include restoration of urban ecosystems, urban agriculture projects, and the development of community infrastructure for clean energy.

Florida Brownfield Conference 2012 - October 28th

Florida Brownfield Conference 2012
 
October 28-31, 2012
St. Petersburg, FL

The Florida Brownfield Conference brings together a diverse group of Brownfield stakeholders who are affected by and involved in the cleanup, redevelopment, and restoration of Florida's Brownfield sites. Participants include property owners; developers; local, state, and federal agency representatives; environmental professionals; land planners; community leaders; legal experts; financial and insurance industry representatives; and grassroots citizens.

NEW - Brownfield Area-Wide Planning Fact Sheet from EPA

EPA’s BF AWP program outlines an approach which enables communities to research and evaluate brownfields cleanup and reuse opportunities in light of priorities and existing plans; local market, infrastructure, and other conditions; and resource availability. This information enables communities to make more informed decisions about where to direct scarce resources and helps advance the implementation of locally-driven initiatives, such as housing, parks, environmental improvement, economic development, and ensuring environmental justice.

The BF AWP process is especially helpful to communities that have already been working within a specific area to develop partnerships, engage the community on priorities and build agreement around a shared revitalization vision. As available, EPA provides assistance to brownfields communities for BF AWP in order to help identify specific cleanup and reuse opportunities for key brownfield sites that can serve as catalysts for revitalization of the surrounding area.

EPA RFP ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!

Here's a link to the new EPA FACT SHEET.

EPA Region 4/States Host The Brownfield Program 2013 Grant Application Training

EPA’s Region 4 Atlanta, GA Brownfields office will be hosting a series of teleconference sessions for the FY2013 Brownfield Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) application guidelines. These guidelines are expected to be available nationally the week of August 13 (applications due around October 15). 

 

Each year, Region 4 hosts a training session designed to highlight changes to the guidelines and tips and tricks based on weakness noted in applications the prior year. This year, EPA and its State partners will focus on:

• applicant ‘readiness’; 
• providing multiple, shorter training segments; and 
• reminding you that your State Agency Brownfields contact can be a resource to you in preparing your application (certain parts require State involvement). 

The Brownfield grant program has become very competitive with about 1 in 5 applications in Region 4 being successful. EPA Region 4 and our State partners seek to improve those odds.Five (5) teleconference sessions are planned. There will be 125 phone lines available. Please use a conference phone if multiple people in your organization plan to participate. The first teleconference will focus on grant application readiness, and the other four (4) will follow the four sections each of the Assessment, RLF and Cleanup guidelines, with the minor changes for 2013 highlighted. The sessions will be between 30 and 45 minutes. The powerpoint presentations will be available on the Trainex registration site noted below prior to the teleconference, and on the Region 4 website after the end of the five (5) sessions.

Please Register at: www.trainex.org/r4bf

Region 4 website: http://www.epa.gov/region4/rcra/bflr/index.html

Session #1: Tuesday, Aug 21 10 am Grant Application Readiness
Session #2: Wednesday, Aug 22 10 am Ranking Criteria 1: Community Need
Session #3: Tuesday, Aug 28 10 am Ranking Criteria 2: Project Description & Feasibility of Success
Session #4: Wednesday, Aug 29 10 am Ranking Criteria 3: Community Engagement & Partnerships
Session #5: Tuesday, Sept 11 10 am Ranking Criteria 4: Project Benefits and Summary

NEWS FLASH: EPA #Brownfield Grant Guidelines UPDATE

It appears that the FY 2013 #Brownfields ARC (Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup) Guidelines will be released next week (the week of August 13th), with a due date in mid-October.

The Brownfield AWP (Area-wide Planning) Guidelines will be released soon too (probably the week of August 20th or 27th), with a due date in-mid October. States and government entities created by state legislatures are now eligible; and FY10 BF AWP pilot program recipients are ineligible for this round; Up to $200K will be awarded in grant funds.

Webinar: EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant Guidelines - August 23

Brownfields Cleanup Grant Guideline - August 23, 2012, 4:00PM-5:00PM EDT (20:00-21:00 GMT). This webinar will go into details about the EPA's Brownfield Cleanup Grant. This grant funds cleanup activities for applicants who: currently own a brownfield site that has met the statuary requirements for liability protection by completing a Phase 1 prior to purchase; has completed a Phase 2; and has completed an analysis for brownfields cleanup alternatives (ABCA). The webinar will go over the guidelines relating to threshold criteria which determine who is an eligible applicant, what brownfield sites are eligible for funding, and community notification of the application. Next the webinar will focus on the ranking criteria which address the need for a brownfield cleanup in your community and description of your project. Audience: Any potential brownfield applicant which includes any governmental entity, nonprofits, and tribes. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live .

Webinar: Brownfield RLF Grant Guidelines - August 30

Brownfields RLF Grant Guideline - August 30, 2012, 4:00PM-5:00PM EDT(20:00-21:00 GMT). This webinar will go into details about the EPA's Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund grant. This grant funds cleanup activities through grants and loans. Grants can be given to brownfield site owners including nonprofits and governmental entities. Loans can be given to brownfield site owners including nonprofits, governmental entities and private property owners. The webinar will go over the guidelines relating to threshold criteria which determine who is an eligible applicant, fiscal requirements to run a loan program, and community notification of the application. Next the webinar will focus on the ranking criteria which address the need for a brownfield cleanups in your community and description of your revolving loan program. Audience: Any potential brownfield applicant which includes any governmental entity and tribes. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live .

Webinar: Smart Growth for Rural Communities - August 16

1. Essential Smart Growth Fixes: Ideas for Rural Communities
   This webinar will focus on tools and strategies that can help rural communities spur economic growth while maintaining their rural character. Presenters Ben Herman (FAICP and Principal of Clarion Associates, a national land use firm) and Dean Severson (AICP and Principal Agricultural and Rural Planning Analyst for the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Planning Commission) will highlight zoning strategies from EPA's recent publication, "Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Rural Planning, Zoning and Development Codes," and provide tips for implementation. Download the report from http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/publications.htm
   
   AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance credits for this activity. Please note this is a repeat of the webinar held on July 19.

Webinar Details
Thursday, August 16, 2012, 2:00-3:00 Eastern
https://epa.connectsolutions.com/epasmartgrowth
No pre-registration is required.
No phone call is required. Participants will be able to hear the meeting audio through their computer speakers.

• Please test your computer prior to attending a meeting at http://admin.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
• The Connection Test checks your computer to make sure all system requirements are met. If you pass the first three steps of the test, then you are ready to participate in a meeting.
• If you do not pass the test, perform the suggested actions and run the test again.

Webinar: EPA Brownfield Area-Wide Planning Grants - August 9th

1. Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grants: Opportunities for Local Governments and Nonprofits
   
   Conducted with the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, this webinar will focus on the benefits of area-wide planning for brownfields development and a new grant opportunity for local governments and nonprofits. The webinar will feature Drew Curtis of the Ironbound Community Corporation in Newark, NJ and Jim Gulnac of Sanford, ME, who will discuss pilot projects and lessons learned in their communities. AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance credits for this activity.
   
   Learn more about the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Pilot Program at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/areawide_grants.htm
   Webinar Details
   Thursday, August 9, 2012, 3:00-4:00 Eastern
   To join this webinar, click on https://epa.connectsolutions.com/epasmartgrowth
   No pre-registration is required.
   No phone call is required. Participants will be able to hear the meeting audio through their computer speakers.
   
   • Please test your computer prior to attending a meeting at http://admin.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
   • The Connection Test checks your computer to make sure all system requirements are met. If you pass the first three steps of the test, then you are ready to participate in a meeting.
   • If you do not pass the test, perform the suggested actions and run the test again.

Webinar: Recognizing the Positive Economic Impacts of Superfund Reuse - August 22nd

Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Webinar Series: Recognizing the Positive Economic Impacts of Superfund Reuse - August 22, 2012, 2:00PM-4:00PM EDT(18:00-20:00 GMT). Superfund site cleanup and reuse has resulted in restored value to site properties and new economic opportunities for surrounding communities. Communities reuse Superfund sites in many ways new parks, shopping centers, athletic fields, wildlife sanctuaries, manufacturing facilities, residences, new roads and infrastructure centers are just a few examples. Once a site property is ready for reuse, it can revitalize a local economy with jobs, new businesses, tax revenues and local spending. EPA looks at many types of economic impacts of reuse at Superfund sites, including: number of on-site jobs, annual employment income from on-site jobs, on-site property value information, local property tax revenues, and other economic impacts that are unique to specific sites. This webinar will share the stories of how Superfund Redevelopment is spurring economic growth in three communities. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live .

Webinar: EPA Brownfield Grant Guidelines - August 16th

Brownfields Assessment Grant Guideline - August 16, 2012, 4:00PM-5:00PM EDT (20:00-21:00 GMT). This webinar will focus on the Brownfield Assessment Grant program. Grants in this program cover all brownfield work prior to cleanup including: brownfield inventories; Phase 1 background on a property; Phase 2 sampling to determine extent of contamination at a site; and cleanup planning. Applicants to this program can choose to submit a community wide assessment which designates a target area from which many properties will be chosen for assessment work after the grant is awarded, to site specific property assessments where assessment work will focus on one property. The panel will also review applications from one entity vs. coalition applications. The assessment grants are available only to governmental entities. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live

Brownfield Grant Q&A - Pre-Selecting a Contractor

Question: I am concerned that submitting a proposal that includes a for-profit team member (i.e. contractor) that was not selected via a competitive process may disqualify our proposal. Can you advise me on this issue and any precedents you are aware of?

Response: Please see the guidelines section where these statements are made "Applicants must compete contracts for services and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and price analyses to the extent required by the procurement provisions of the regulations at 40 CFR Parts 30 or 31, as appropriate. ...Applicants are not required to identify subawardees/subgrantees and/or contractors (including consultants) in their proposal/application. However, if they do, the fact that an applicant selected for award has named a specific subawardee/subgrantee, contractor, or consultant in the proposal/application EPA selects for funding does not relieve [emphasis added] the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward/subgrant and/or competitive procurement requirements as appropriate. Please note that applicants may not [emphasis added] award sole source contracts to consulting, engineering, or other firms assisting applicants with the proposal solely based on the firm’s role in preparing the proposal/application."

Please become familiar with the federal regulations concerning open competition of procurements under federal grants. Procurement of professional services in a non-competitive manner would be a potentially ineligible grant cost. If you participate in a grant writing workshop or get a copy of the presentation, you will learn that EPA recommends applicants do not raise cost eligibility "red flags" in their proposals. Red flags cause lower rankings. Lower ranked proposals are not selected for funding.

While applicant's planned procurement procedures are not a "Threshold Criteria" (basic grant eligibility issue), discussions in proposals about applicant's procurement plans can impact the ranking review and ultimate selection for funding.

Source: EPA Region 6 Brownfield Program