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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded Cass County, Michigan a $300,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818), effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. The agreement funds comprehensive assessment and planning activities to address brownfield properties—real property whose reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Cass County will conduct environmental site assessments, inventory and characterize contaminated properties, develop cleanup and financing plans, and facilitate community involvement activities to support the remediation and redevelopment of priority brownfield sites within the county.

Specific deliverables include conducting 13 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and 9 Phase II Environmental Site Assessments; developing 6 financing and leveraging plans for priority sites; creating 1 cleanup plan; hosting community meetings; and submitting 16 quarterly progress reports through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). The recipient will competitively procure and direct qualified environmental professionals to execute the technical site assessment activities. This funding benefits residents, business owners, and stakeholders throughout Cass County by facilitating the assessment and revitalization of blighted and underutilized properties. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement.

This agreement will provide funding for cass county, michigan conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in cass county, michigan. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding to the recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup planning and community involvement related activities. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to conduct environmental site activities. Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres). Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:further, the recipient anticipates conducting 13 phase i and 9 phase II environmental site assessments, holding community meetings, developing 6 plans for financing and leveraging grant funds on priority sites, developing 1 cleanup plan, and submitting 16 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near cass county, michigan.