A state program that underwrites the development of industrial sites in the region is making a comeback in the new state budget. The Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin recently announced to recapitalize the Business in Our Sites (BOS) program announcing that the Wolf Administration was successful in securing critical funding to support business development efforts.

Governor Wolf was successful in securing critical revenue for an important business development program with the completion of the 2016-17 budget.  The budget transfers unused funds from two other development programs to reactivate the grant portion of the business sites program that will give Pennsylvania a competitive edge through this action and the creation of an arsenal of ready-to-go sites for development opportunities.

The 2016-17 budget package includes $75 million to recapitalize the Business in Our Sites program to allow Pennsylvania to compete for business expansions and relocations by providing patient capital to create shovel-ready sites for business development. BOS will be recapitalized through underutilized Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) programs.

It is projected that the recapitalization will create 6,519 jobs and spur $487.2 million in private investment in the commonwealth. Since 2004, projects funded through this initiative have created more than 22,000 jobs and secured $2.2 billion in private investment.

The Business in Our Sites program was initially funded through the issuance of bonds in 2004 with $100 million devoted for grants and $200 million for loans. To date, all grant money for the Business in Our Sites program has been exhausted. All loans issued after the initial disbursement of the $200 million are funded through a revolving loan fund program and are capitalized through loan and interest repayments. The new allocation provides the opportunity to utilize up to one-third for grant funding.

For more information on the Business in Our Sites program and additional business assistance programs, visit www.newPA.com.

For more information about the Governor’s Action Team or DCED visit www.newPA.com

by Kevin Zimmerman, Westfair Online (CT)

Municipalities across the state are increasing their rehabilitation of brown!eld sites, including several notable examples within Fair!eld County.

The assessment, remediation and redevelopment of such long-vacant properties - some abandoned for dec - into usable and taxable commercial and residential parcels has the potential to revitalize previously ignore estate as never before.

On the state level, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is taking a leading role, doling out grants and loans to qualifying towns and cities "to develop speci!c, actionable plans that will clean multiple brown!elds, leverage private investment, and bring jobs and new economic activity to long-dormant corridors throughout the state," said DECD Deputy Commissioner Tim Sullivan.

"These sites are everywhere," he said. "We have a process of determining what towns and what projects in tho towns qualify" for !nancial aid. "Generally they apply to us, but if we hear of something that we think we could address, we'll get in contact with them."

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For the entire article, see

http://westfaironline.com/82441/brownfields-fewer-as-fairfield-cleans-up-for-redevelopment/

by Nick Roth, Cape Gazette (DE) The public is invited to comment on a proposed brownfield development agreement for a 1.04-acre parcel near Kings Highway and Beach Plum Drive in Lewes. Comments will be accepted through Monday, Oct. 17.

A coal gasification plant operated on the adjacent property from 1924 to 1932, and coal may have been stored on the site. The property was also home to the Queen Anne Railroad at one time.

According to Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control documents, the property owner intends to sell to prospective developer Hotel California LLC, which intends to build a bakery/restaurant with second-floor apartments.
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For the entire article, see
http://www.capegazette.com/article/public-invited-comment-lewes-brownfield/118020

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced an $820,000 brownfields grant to support the assessment and cleanup of abandoned industrial and commercial properties in Philadelphia.

The brownfields revolving loan fund grant goes to the Philadelphia Authority of Industrial Development (PAID). Philadelphia is one of 131 communities nationwide to receive $55.2 million in EPA brownfields grants this year.

“Brownfields funding helps communities remove critical barriers to redevelopment and reuse,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “This funding supports Philadelphia’s plans for improving the quality of life of residents by reclaiming areas for housing, commercial development and open space and at the same time protecting public health and the environment.”

Brownfields are properties where real or suspected environmental contamination has prevented productive reuse of those properties.

Regional Administrator Garvin made the announcement today during a celebration at the Pennovation Works site in Philadelphia where $600,000 in previous EPA brownfields funding was used to help assess and clean up abandoned property.

Today, Pennovation Works – located adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania – is a unique blend of offices, labs and production space being developed by the university.

EPA’s Brownfields Program strives to expand the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses. Investments provide communities with the funding necessary to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment.

Brownfields grants provide resources early on, which is critical for the success of communities’ abilities to leverage additional partnerships and resources. Partnerships between neighborhoods, local developers and governments are essential for impacted communities to acquire the resources needed to meet their revitalization goals.

More on brownfields grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields

More on successful Brownfields stories: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-success-stories

by Kent Jackson, Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa. (TNS)

A local distribution company purchased the former factory and toxic spill site that it had been renting and using as a warehouse at the Valmont Industrial Park in Hazle Township.

Karchner/Riccetti Partners paid $650,000 for the Chromatex plant.

Harold Karchner said his firm obtained the building through a lease purchase and will continue using it as a warehouse.

In accord with the federal Superfund law, Karchner Logistics incurs no liability for the contamination caused by others at the site and will not interfere with the efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continue cleaning up the site.

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For the entire article, see

http://www.poconorecord.com/news/20160925/distribution-firm-buys-toxic-spill-site-near-hazleton

by Joseph Bebon, Solar Industry 

Officials have dedicated a 3 MW solar project built on a 10-acre brownfield site in Westfield, Mass. During a ceremony, Massachusetts Lieutenant-Governor Karyn Polito; Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan; and Mark Noyes, president and CEO of ConEdison Development, developer of the solar project, celebrated completion of the 8,844-panel installation.

“We applaud Westfield and ConEdison Development for their ingenuity in transforming a brownfield into a source of clean energy and look forward to future projects continuing the growth of the commonwealth’s vibrant solar industry,” said Polito.

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For the entire article, see
http://solarindustrymag.com/3-mw-brownfield-solar-project-dedicated-in-massachusetts

By Kathleen Schassler, Middletown Press (CT)

The environmental science and engineering firm contracted by the city submitted its final analysis this week for Middletown on the Move, a grant-funded initiative that focuses on brownfield rehabilitation, health education and ideas to create active places and green spaces for residents.

The city last year won a $143,970 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study brownfields for possible recreational reuse. The initiative seeks to create healthier, friendlier neighborhoods that are safe places to walk, bike and be active.

Brownfields are sites that are vacant or underused because of contamination or potential contamination from oil, chemicals or other toxic substances. Though there are about 200 designed brownfield parcels in the local region, the consultant group has reduced the number of properties considered to six, according to Patrice Barrett, the city’s brownfield community outreach coordinator.

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For the entire article, see

http://www.middletownpress.com/article/MI/20160901/NEWS/160909972

By Jimmy Lawton, North Country Now (NY) 

Ogdensburg’s formal designation of a 330-acre brownfield opportunity area designation will enable the city to apply for additional funding to implement development strategic.

The designated area stretches from the westernmost edge of the City, east to Paterson Street and from the St. Lawrence River shoreline south to Lafayette Street, creating a concentrated area of strategic opportunity within the larger context of the city.

The BOA includes four strategic districts of brownfields, vacant or underutilized properties all along the city’s waterfront, spanning the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie.

Ogdensburg’s BOA is broken into four districts, the Diamond District, Fort District, Marina District and Augsbury District.

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For the entire article, see

http://www.northcountrynow.com/business/ogdensburgs-brownfield-designation-presents-economic-development-opportunities-0179207