Collins, King Announce More Than $7.3 Million in EPA Funding to Support Public Health, Economic Development in Maine Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that a total of $7,340,000 in federal funding has been awarded for the assessment and cleanup of Brownfield sites in Maine. The federal grants awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assist local communities as they work to redevelop these contaminated sites in order to promote environmental integrity and future economic investment.

“For years, the Brownfields Program has helped Maine communities rebuild and revitalize unused and contaminated properties,” said Senators Collins and King. “This funding is an important investment in Maine’s environment and economy that will help spur development and stability across the state.”

A Brownfield site is property that contains a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant, which hinders the potential to reuse or redevelop the site. The EPA's Brownfields Program assists states and local communities as they assess, safely clean up, and reuse Brownfield sites for economic development projects.

The funding is being allocated in Maine as follows:

·         Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission: $820,000 (revolving loan fund) and $300,000 (assessment)

·         Town of Berwick: $600,000 (cleanup for Prime Tanning)

·         Marble Block Redevelopment Corp.: $200,000 (cleanup)

·         Greater Portland Council of Governments: $400,000 (assessment)

·         City of Portland: $800,000 (revolving loan fund)

·         Town of Lisbon: $200,000 (assessment)

·         City of Gardiner: $200,000 (assessment) and $200,000 (cleanup)

·         Town of Wilton: $200,000 (cleanup)

·         Midcoast Economic Development District: $820,000 (revolving loan fund)

·         City of Belfast: $400,000 (assessment)

·         City of Old Town: $400,000 (assessment)

·         Eastern Maine Development Corp.: $400,000 (assessment)

·         Hancock County Planning Commission: $400,000 (assessment)

·         Piscataquis County Economic Development Council: $400,000 (assessment)

·         Northern Maine Development Commission: $200,000 (assessment)

·         Washington County Council of Governments: $400,000 (assessment)