Brownfields

Brownfields are rural or urban industrial and commercial sites that are abandoned or underutilized due to real or perceived contamination. Communities across Indiana face the challenge of putting these idle sites back to work. In spite of their negative connotations, IWM Consulting believes that communities should view Brownfield sites as potential assets rather than economic and aesthetic liabilities. Most communities have Brownfield properties within their jurisdictions, representing a huge potential resource for new development, increased employment, enhanced tax revenue, creation of local recreational amenities, and preservation of green space.

IWM Consulting has partnered with many cities, towns, counties, economic development organizations, and private entities in successful, high-profile Brownfield projects. IWM Consulting embraces opportunities to assist communities in meeting the challenge of restoring Brownfield sites to productive use. Most communities already have many of the needed resources and talents. These attributes just need to be identified, organized, and directed. IWM Consulting will help your community to:

Identify, inventory, and prioritize potential Brownfield properties
Compile economic, demographic, and preliminary physical and environmental information for each Brownfield site
Develop a community-specific Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for evaluating potential best uses, pursue public and private funding options for assessment and remediation, and develop marketing strategies for Brownfield properties
Assist communities with Brownfield Grant applications

Numerous funding options are available through the Indiana Finance Authority, Indiana Economic Development Corporation or the U.S. EPA for assessment and remediation activities associated with eligible Brownfield sites:

Indiana Finance Authority (IFA)

Brownfields Stipulated Assessment Grant Incentive (SAGI), up to $100,000 for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Asbestos and Lead Paint Surveys, and Phase II Investigations at hazardous waste (non-petroleum) Brownfield sites.
Brownfields Stipulated Remediation Grant Incentive, up to $400,000 for costs associated with cleanup activities at hazardous waste (non-petroleum) Brownfield sites.
Low Interest Loan Incentive (LILLI), provides loans for remediation, demolition, and limited site assessment activities at both hazardous and petroleum waste Brownfield sites with fixed interest rates of 2.5% (term less than 10 years) to 3.0% (term less than 20 years).
Petroleum Remediation Grant Incentive (PRGI), provides grant amounts up to $250,000 per applicant, per funding round.
Voluntary Remediation Tax Credit (VRTC), provides a tax credit against Indiana tax liabilities; credit given for conducting voluntary cleanup at Brownfield sites.
Federal Grant Matching Incentive (FCMI), IFA will provide matching grants in amounts up to 20% of a federal (U.S. EPA) Brownfields Remediation award.

Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Brownfields Redevelopment Program. The objective is to assist projects in the completion of site preparation activities so that those communities can achieve their redevelopment goals.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)

Brownfields Assessment Grants- $200,000 to assess a site contaminated by hazardous substances and up to $200,000 to assess petroleum contaminated sites.
Brownfields Cleanup Grants of up to $200,000.
Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants
Brownfields Job Training Grants

IWM Consulting has extensive experience with all aspects of Brownfields redevelopment. IWM Consulting can walk you through the grant application process, assist in identifying eligible sites, provide support with community relations and create a link between your community, developers and the regulatory environment. IWM has expertise in all areas of Phase I and Phase II Assessments, pilot studies, remediation technology and regulatory reporting requirements. IWM has completed site assessment activities at 25 Brownfield Sites and remediation activities at 12 Brownfield sites throughout the State of Indiana. IWM Consulting completed 2 U.S. EPA Funded Community-Wide Site Assessment Projects and one locally funded Community-Wide Site Assessment Project. IWM Consulting was awarded two contracts with the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) in December 2006 to perform Petroleum Remediation Grant (PRG) work activities at qualified Brownfield sites in Administrative Regions No. 3 & No. 7, which encompass a 28 county area.