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 Big Sky Economic Development Authority has received a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818). The funding will be used to capitalize a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to make loans and subgrants for the cleanup of brownfield sites in the downtown and east Billings, Montana areas. The recipient will competitively procure environmental professionals to oversee site activities, create community involvement plans and administrative records, and report on program income, progress, and outcomes. The RLF program aims to support the community's vision for sustainable redevelopment and economic revitalization of these areas by remediating approximately 5 brownfield sites through 3 loans and 2 subgrants. The award period is from August 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028.

This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) for big sky economic development authority to capitalize a revolving loan fund as authorized by cercla 104(k)(3) in yellowstone county, montana. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding for the recipient to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which to make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield site(s) 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:all cleanup activities will be implemented through subawards (loans and subgrants to eligible entities).outcomes:the recipient's target area within yellowstone county is billings' downtown core, which consists of two neighborhoods - the central business district (CBD) and the east billings urban renewal district (eburd). The CBD is the city's center for business and innovation. The eburd is an aging industrial area characterized by rail distribution facilities, building supply companies, automotive service centers, ODD street layout, and very little housing. Both areas are becoming attractive for infill development, but those efforts are hampered by the existence, potential, or perception of contamination. The RLF program will carryout the community's primary vision for redevelopment of these areas and focus on creating a sustainable, connected downtown corridor with a strong community identity and diverse economic interests. Further, the recipient will issue approximately 3 loans and 2 subgrants to remediate 5 brownfield site(s); anticipates holding 10 community meetings, finalizing 5 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 yellowstone county, montana.