Brownfield Webinar - Nov. 17th

Brownfields Webinar – Tuesday November 17  Tips for Successful Brownfields Grant Proposals Learn from the Nation’s Top Experts Tuesday November 17, 1:00 – 2:15pm eastern time Registration is FREE: 1. Go to: https://njit.webex.com/njit/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2e37db72ee3c06870eec1571c193997e 2. Click "Register". 3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit". Learn key tricks of the trade as you prepare your FY 2016 grant applications. Hosted by NALGEP, the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), the KSU Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the webinar will focus on:   How to maximize proposal points and avoid common mistakes while preparing your application;  What’s new with the FY 2016 grant guidelines;  The importance of building community support for your application;  Special tips for disadvantaged and small/rural communities;  And much more! Register  for the webinar today!

TODAY: #Brownfield National Webinar - Using TAB-EZ & Grant Proposal Writing Strategies

Thursday, November 5, 2015, 1:00 - 2:30 pm Central
Join the webinar at: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/ksu/
And for audio dial-in: : 1-866-299-3188/ access code: 202-566-1817#).
Mark your calendar. No pre-registration.

EPA National Assessment, Cleanup & Revolving Loan Fund Guidelines Outreach Webinar

If you are thinking of applying don’t miss EPA's webinar next week.  The EPA Webinar to assist potential applicants in preparing FY16 Assessment, Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant proposals is on November 10, 2015 at 2pm EST.  Join the webinar at http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/fy16/. Audio option is to call into 1-866-299-3188/ access code: 202-566-1817. There is no registration necessary. The purpose of this training webinar is to assist applicants with understanding the Guidelines.

EDA Grant Solicitation - Brownfield Redevelopment

 

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced on October 26 it is soliciting applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. 

Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

EDA is employing a new two-phase review process for proposals/applications submitted under this FFO. There are no submission deadlines. Proposals and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new EDAP FFO. Proposals will be reviewed by EDA within 30 days of receipt; and following the proposal review, full applications will be reviewed within 60 days of receipt. Please see Section IV. of the attached FFO for complete information on EDA’s two-phase review process.

The average size of a Public Works investment has been approximately $1.4 million, and investments generally range from $200,000 to $3,000,000. Historically, EDA has awarded funds for between 80 and 150 Public Works projects a year.

The average size of an EAA investment has been approximately $820,000, and investments generally range from $100,000 to $1,250,000. Historically, EDA has awarded funds for between 70 and 140 EAA projects a year.

Competitive applications will be responsive to the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.A.2 of this FFO, and will align with at least one of the following investment priorities:

1. Collaborative Regional Innovation Projects that support the development and growth of innovation clusters1 based on existing regional competitive strengths. Such initiatives must engage relevant stakeholders; facilitate collaboration among urban, suburban, and rural (including tribal) areas; provide stability for economic development through long-term intergovernmental and public/private collaboration; and support the growth of existing and emerging industries.

EDA defines clusters as geographic concentrations of firms, workers and industries that do business with each other and have common needs for talent, technology, and infrastructure. Clusters are essentially networks of similar, synergistic, or complementary entities that are engaged in or with a particular industry sector; have active channels for business transactions and communication; share specialized infrastructure, labor markets, and services; and leverage the region’s unique competitive strengths to stimulate innovation and create jobs. Clusters may cross municipal, county, and other jurisdictional boundaries.

2. Public/Private Partnerships Projects that use both public and private sector resources and complementary investments by other government/public entities and/or nonprofits.

3. National Strategic Priorities Projects that:

a. encourage job growth and business expansion in manufacturing, including advanced manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, and manufacturing supply chains;

b. assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal;

c. increase economic resiliency, including resilience to the effects of natural disasters and climate change;

d. assist with natural disaster mitigation and recovery;

e. are aimed at restoring or improving urban waters and the communities that surround them; and

f. assist and/or support: i. information technology infrastructure (for example, broadband or smart grid);

ii. communities severely impacted by automotive industry restructuring;

iii. job-driven skills development;

iv. access to capital for small-and medium-sized and ethnically diverse enterprises;

v. innovations in science and health care; and

vi. advancement of science and research parks, other technology transfer, or technology commercialization efforts.

4. Global Competitiveness Projects that support high-growth businesses and innovation-based entrepreneurs to expand and compete in global markets, especially investments that expand U.S. exports, encourage foreign direct investment, and promote the repatriation of jobs back to the U.S.

5. Environmentally-Sustainable Development Projects that promote job creation and economic prosperity through enhancing environmental quality and developing and implementing green products, processes, places, and buildings as part of the green economy. This includes projects that encourage job growth, business expansion, and innovations in energy-efficient technologies and clean energy, including alternative fuel technologies. Additional information is available on EDA’s website at http://www.eda.gov/pdf/GreenGrowthOverview.pdf.

6. Underserved Communities Projects that strengthen diverse communities that have suffered disproportionate economic distress and job losses and/or are rebuilding to become more competitive in the global economy.

Columbus Request for Statement of Qualifications

The City of Columbus, Mississippi (Columbus) invites interested parties to submit Statements of Qualification (SOQ) to provide environmental and engineering consulting services to Columbus in support of their Brownfields program. Columbus is looking for firms with documented experience writing grant applications and providing the Brownfields-related consulting services associated with projects funded by these US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants.
 
Responses to this RFQ should be delivered Christina M. Berry, City Planner/Dir. Community Development City of Columbus; 1621 Main Street Columbus, MS 39701 by November 10, 2015.

FY16 PROPOSAL GUIDELINES FOR EPA BROWNFIELD GRANTS POSTED!

The announcement has posted and the deadline for the FY16 Brownfield grants is December 18, 2015.  The Proposal Guidelines for the assessment, cleanup and revolving loan fund grants along with the Summary of Changes from FY15 to FY16, the Frequently Asked Questions, the Grants.gov tip sheet, etc. can all be found at:

http://www2.epa.gov/brownfields/apply-brownfields-grant-funding

EPA Announces $54.3 Million to Assess and Clean Up Contaminated Sites, Revitalize Communities, Leverage Jobs and Promote Economic Redevelopment Nationwide

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the selection of 243 new grant investments totaling $54.3 million to 147 communities across the U.S. This investment will provide communities with funding necessary to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment. Recipients will each receive approximately $200,000 - $600,000 in funding toward EPA cooperative agreements.

Mississippi will receive 2 Brownfield Cleanup Grants, both located in West Point. This marks is the first time CLEANUP Grants have been awarded for sites in Mississippi.  All past grants have been Assessment or Planning in nature. Mississippi's success rate over the past several years is as follows:

2015 - .222 (2/9)
2014 - .417 (5/12)
2013 - .600 (6/10)
2012 - .200 (3/15)
2011 - .167 (2/12)
2010 - .000 (0/8)
2009 - .076 (1/15)

Regional Success Rate (in GRANTS):

Region	Total Evaluated	Tier I & II Recommendations			Success Rate
		Assessment	Cleanup	Total
1	141	31	19	50	35%
2	46	5	3	8	17%
3	60	27	5	32	53%
4	144	25	11	36	25%
5	175	43	9	52	30%
6	44	10	4	14	32%
7	16	3	0	3	19%
8	34	17	5	22	65%
9	33	12	7	19	58%
10	17	6	1	7	41%
Total	710	179	64	243	34%

 
# of selected proposal/grants/applicants and total funding:

	# of Proposals	# of Grants	# of Selected Applicants	Funding
Assessment	111	179	108	$41,925,328
Cleanup	64	64	40	$12,437,158
Total	175	243	146	$54,362,486

Since the inception of the EPA’s Brownfields Program in 1995, cumulative brownfield program investments have leveraged more than $22 billion from a variety of public and private sources for cleanup and redevelopment activities. This equates to an average of $17.79 leveraged per EPA brownfield dollar expended. These investments have resulted in approximately 105,942 jobs nationwide. EPA’s Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields sites.

For more information on the grants: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/pdfs/2015-AC-grant-fact-sheets.pdf

More information on EPA’s brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

More information on brownfields success stories:http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/success/index.htm

Brownfield Opportunity: CDFA's Brownfields Project Marketplace

Does your community have a brownfield redevelopment project that could use financing assistance?

CDFA's Brownfields Project Marketplace provides an opportunity to present your brownfield redevelopment project to experts who can help identify potential resources for the project.

The Marketplaces are open to all communities. CDFA will conduct two in-person and two virtual marketplaces each year. To apply, please complete the form found in the link below. This information will help us select technical assistance partners best suited to provide expertise unique to your project. CDFA staff will follow up with you at the contact information you provide below to confirm your submission.

>>>>> Complete Project Marketplace Application <<<<<<<

Upcoming Marketplace Events:

• March 16-20: Online Brownfields Project Marketplace with sessions scheduled in 30 minute time slots to occur sometime during that week.
• May 19, 2015: In-Person Brownfields Project Marketplace at CDFA's Rosenberg Center in Columbus, OH.

The Project Marketplace will include a brief presentation by a community detailing important information on their brownfield project followed by an open discussion period among community officials and technical assistance partners.

Take advantage of this opportunity to receive group technical assistance and explore potential financing sources!

Contact CDFA with any questions at info@cdfa.net

Brownfield Workshop - Clarksdale, MS, Feb. 26, 2015

Join CCLR for an amazing opportunity to learn from the experts on how to manage brownfield redevelopment projects. This workshop is designed for redevelopment practitioners in Mississippi and Arkansas, from local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector with an interest in learning the nuts-and-bolts of redeveloping environmentally challenged property. Recycling abandoned and under-utilized properties in the Delta Region requires special knowledge and skills to manage contaminant issues. This practical and interactive workshop will provide project managers with the tools, techniques, and funding resources required to bring projects in on-time and on-budget.

Seasoned brownfield redevelopment practitioners will be on-hand to discuss funding sources and give you the advice you need to move your project forward. The workshop will be held at the offices of the Delta Regional Authority. Presenters from across Mississippi and Arkansas will discuss a number of successful brownfield redevelopment projects, and all attendees will have a unique opportunity to get an inside perspective on the projects. Other case studies will highlight a range of brownfield reuse opportunities applicable to both rural and urban communities in the Delta.

Cost:
Free (lunch provided)
Date and Time:
Wednesday, February 26, 2015, 9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Location:
The Delta Regional Authority, 236 Sharkey Avenue, Suite 400, Clarksdale, MS

The workshop is expected to fill quickly, so early registration is recommended. For more details and to register, click REGISTER below.

REGISTER

CCLR’s past workshops have received stellar reviews. This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to take blighted or underutilized land in your community and turn it into a community asset. For more information, contact Emma Leonard at (415) 398-1080 x100, emma.leonard@cclr.org.

CDFA Brownfield Financing Webinar - Feb. 19, 2014

CDFA is excited to announce the CDFA Brownfield Financing Webinar Series as part of the CDFA Brownfields Technical Assistance Program. Brownfield redevelopment financing solutions are increasingly sought across the country in order to restore contaminated sites and/or to return abandoned industrial land to productive use. The cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites can advance a region’s economy, restore the local environment, and ultimately lead to permanent job creation and greater attraction of external capital to the community.

The series will include three 90-minute webinars over the year and will focus on effective utilization of brownfield and redevelopment financing tools, while highlighting best practices, case studies, and CDFA’s technical assistance program participants. This series is designed for professionals who work directly with brownfield sites as well as economic development professionals and communities interested in shaping programs to enhance redevelopment financing opportunities

Click on the Register button below to confirm your participation and receive login information. Registration is free and open to all interested stakeholders.

---

Upcoming Webcasts

---

February 19, 2014 @ 2:00 pm Eastern

Brownfield Redevelopment Community Showcase: Financing Tools for Transformation

Join CDFA at 2pm EST on February 19, 2015 for the first installment in the Brownfield Finance Redevelopment Webinar Series. This debut webinar will highlight communities that have successfully employed the development finance toolbox to transform former brownfield sites into economic assets. Join us to discover how tools such as tax increment finance, loan funds and tax credits can bring your brownfield redevelopment projects to life!

Click on the Register button below to confirm your participation and receive login information. Registration is free and open to all interested stakeholders.