Brownfields are real property, the expansion, development or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 awarded the Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818) to recapitalize a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) serving Bridgeport and the towns of Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull, Connecticut. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, is funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and authorized under CERCLA Section 104(k)(5)(A)(II).

The primary deliverable is the establishment and management of a RLF from which the recipient will issue loans and subgrants for brownfield site cleanup and remediation activities. Supporting activities include procuring qualified environmental professionals to oversee environmental site remediation, developing community involvement plans and administrative records for each remediated site, and conducting site eligibility verification and enrollment in Connecticut's Voluntary Cleanup Program. The recipient will also execute marketing and public outreach to engage municipalities, developers, and nonprofit organizations, and submit progress reports through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES), including completion of the Property Profile Form and Brownfields RLF Form to document program income, interim progress, and final accomplishments.

This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) for the connecticut metropolitan council of governments to RE-capitalize a revolving loan fund as authorized by cercla 104(k)(5)(a)(II) in the city of bridgeport and the towns of easton, fairfield, monroe, stratford, and trumbull, connecticut. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding for the recipient to RE-capitalize a revolving loan fund from which to make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield sites and conduct other necessary activities to prudently manage the RLF. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to oversee the environmental site activities, will create a community involvement plan and administrative record for each site that is remediated, and will report on program income, interim progress, and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form and brownfields RLF form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres). Subrecipient:non-site-specific tasks include: marketing the program to cities, towns, developers, and non-profits, conducting public outreach, and preparing outreach materials relevant to the connecticut metropolitan council of governments' RLF program. Site-specific tasks include: verifying site and borrower/subgrant eligibility, sub-grant agreements, conducting site-specific public relations activities, and consulting with and enrolling sites in the connecticut voluntary cleanup program. The connecticut metropolitan council of governments will oversee completion of site remediation and preparation of cleanup completion documentation, including implementation of institutional controls.outcomes:further, the recipient will issue approximately 3 loans and 3 subgrants to remediate up to 6 brownfield sites; anticipates holding approximately 3 community meetings, finalizing up to 3 analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and submitting 20 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near the city of bridgeport and the towns of easton, fairfield, monroe, stratford, and trumbull, connecticut.