| Helping Communities Meet Their Potential |
Community Development
Brownfields are real properties; the expansion, redevelopment, or
reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential
presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties both improves and
protects the environment, while offering opportunities for economic
development.
In 1998, the WIRC wrote a successful brownfield grant application to
the US EPA on behalf of the City of Canton for $200,000. As a result of
this undertaking and working closely with IEPA, a statewide contract
with IEPA was initiated in 1999. This contract continues, as the agency
is available to assist IEPA in working with small and medium sized
communities regarding the issue of brownfields, and tools available to
assist in financing assessments and cleanup. |
Acting on behalf of a local government, the WIRC can ensure that funding opportunities for local improvements are made known to local representatives. The WIRC staff can help a community and its local government to formulate a comprehensive plan unique to its own specific community development needs. These services, plus the assistance in the implementation of projects once funded, puts the WIRC Community Development staff in a full service capacity to communities.
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