HUD Awards $30.5M in Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants

The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced awards totaling $30.5 million that were made through three competitions of its Brownfields Economic Development Initiative program.

BEDI provides grants to local governments to improve the security of loans guaranteed under Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 or the viability of the projects financed with those loans. BEDI funds support the redevelopment of brownfields sites, which have actual or potential environmental contamination, in an effort to return them to productive economic use.
Eligible applicants for BEDI grants are Community Development Block Grant entitlement and nonentitlement communities. Projects that receive BEDI funding are required to increase economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals or stimulate and retain businesses and jobs that lead to economic revitalization.

The recently announced awards were made through two competitions for fiscal year 2009 funds and one competition for FY 2010 funds. Projects in 11 states received 18 awards through the competitions:

• California: Santa Rosa, $1.5 million
• Florida: Palm Beach County, $1.06 million
• Massachusetts: Taunton, $1 million
• Michigan: Wayne County, $2 million; Port Huron, $1 million
• New Mexico: Las Cruces, $2 million
• Ohio: Cleveland, $2 million, $3 million; Toledo, $2 million
• Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, $2 million, $2 million, $3 million, $1.25 million; Reading, $750,000
• Tennessee: Memphis, $2 million
• Vermont: Burlington, $1.04 million
• Washington: Bremerton, $1.75 million
• West Virginia: Ranson, $1.5 million

The recipients will use their awards for a wide range of redevelopment projects that range from waterfront parks to museums, commercial areas, housing, medical centers and job training facilities. Burlington, for example, will redevelop a former waterfront coal plant into spaces for one commercial and two nonprofit tenants, as well as two community facilities. One of Philadelphia’s awards will go toward the development of a supermarket-anchored community shopping center that includes a credit union and a health clinic. Santa Rosa, Calif., will use its award for the first phase of a transit-oriented development, which will convert an historic cannery into a health club. A Cleveland, Ohio, facility will be redeveloped into an office, lab, warehouse and incubator space in support of the area’s Health-Tech Corridor.

Need More Information?

An overview of the BEDI program is available at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/BEDI.
The award notices for the first FY 2009 competition is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-01/pdf/2012-2235.pdf.
The award notice for the second FY 2009 competition is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-01/pdf/2012-2250.pdf.
The award notice for the FY 2010 competition is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-01/pdf/2012-2234.pdf.

Oklahoma Brownfields Conference (May 22-23)

Oklahoma Brownfields Conference

May 22-23, 2012

Skirvin Hilton

Oklahoma City

 

Rethink ... Reinvest ... Reinvent Convening at one of Oklahoma City's Brownfields success stories, the historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel, hear from industry leaders about the economic, social, and environmental impact of Brownfields redevelopment. 

Who Should Attend:

Realtors & Real Estate Appraisers

Developers & Investors

Commercial/Industrial Property Owners & Bankers

Attorneys & Environmental Consultants

Environmental Professionals

Nonprofit Organizations

Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, & Planners

Governmental Officials involved in Redevelopment Projects 

Registration Fee:
Includes programming, breakfast and lunch for both days & Networking Reception at the Petroleum Club

Private Sector Registration:

Includes private entities

$200     Early Bird Registration through March 16th

$250     Registration through May 21st

$300     Onsite Registration

 

Public Sector Registration:

Includes government entities, nonprofit organizations, municipalities and education institutions

$100     Early Bird Registration through March 16th

$125     Registration through May 21st

$150     Onsite Registration

 

Student Registration:

Includes programming, breakfast and lunch for both days

Must have a current student ID

Scholarship opportunities available

$50       Early Bird Registration through March 16th

$75       Registration through May 21st

$100     Onsite Registration

 

Additional Event Options:

$60       Additional Ticket for Networking Reception at the Petroleum Club

$20       Optional Bus Tour of OKC Brownfields Projects

 

For registration information,click below:

 

WWW.OKLAHOMABROWNFIELDS.COM

Webinar - US & EU on Green and Sustainable Remediation

The "US and EU Perspectives on Green and Sustainable Remediation, Part 4" internet seminar will be held on March 6, 2012, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Eastern US).

This seminar is a continuation in the series on international green and sustainable remediation efforts (additional information on prior internet seminars can be found at http://cluin.org/consoil/). This two-hour seminar will: (1) present a US case study on the Renewable Energy Pre-Feasibility Analysis at the Apache Powder Superfund Site; (2) present a case study on how green and sustainable remediation efforts are being implemented in Central Europe; (3) discuss Austrias new tool for performing a cost-effectiveness analysis which integrates the environmental and socio-economic dimension of sustainability; (4) provide an update on EPAs draft environmental footprint methodology for estimating or quantifying a remediation sites footprint (www.clu-in.org/greenremediation/methodology/index.cfm) and on the ASTM International effort to develop a voluntary consensus-based standard for greener cleanups (www.clu-in.org/greenremediation/subtab_b5.cfm); (5) present updates on international green and sustainable remediation efforts; and (6) provide information on 2012 green and sustainable remediation internet seminars and conferences. An open forum will be held throughout the seminar to respond to participant questions. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live .

Sustainability in Public Works Conference

June 25-27, 2012 -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Fourth Annual Sustainability in Public Works Conference is designed to explore the latest and most innovative tools, practices, and case studies in public works. The demands for economic, social, and environmental responsibility are increasing daily. This conference provides access to the latest resources and experts in sustainability applications in the public works arena. Click here for more information.