Washington State Community Development Block Grant Program's 2010 Planning-Only Grants support eligible small communities and rural counties in Washington State in attaining the planning tools necessary to implement priority projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons.

Eligible applicants are Washington State cities and towns with less than 50,000 in population or counties with less than 200,000 in population that are non-entitlement jurisdictions or are not participants in a Department of Housing and Urban Development Urban County Entitlement Consortium. Maximum grants of $24,000 for single jurisdiction and $40,000 for multiple jurisdiction applications. In some cases, the maximum grant can be increased.

Application materials for CDBG Planning-Only Grants will be available until October 31, 2010 or as funds remain. For application materials and more information contact Janea Eddy at (360) 725-3006 or Janea.Eddy@commerce.wa.gov. Application materials are available at www.commerce.wa.gov/cdbg.

The Revolving Loan Fund program provides loans to eligible, innocent entities for non-critical cleanups. Contact Dan Koroma at 360-407-7187 or dkor461@ecy.wa.

Local government which have not previously received state funding or qualify as disadvantaged communities may request grants for environmental site assessments, planning studies and surveys. Contact John Means at 360-407-7188 or Jmea461@ecy.wa.gov.

The Department of Ecology offers matching grants for environmental site assessments and response actions for sites owned by local government or sites not owned by local government for which they are potentially responsible.  Contact Diane Singer at 360-407-6067 or dire461@ecy.wa.gov.

The Department of Ecology offers matching grants for environmental site assessments and response actions to potentially responsible local government or innocent private parties.  Contact Diane Singer at 360-407-6067 or dire461@ecy.wa.gov.

EPA Region 10 provides Targeted Brownfield Assessments (TBAs) which are designed to inventory, characterize, and assess brownfield sites using EPA contractors. The TBA program is open for requests year round, and features a non competitive application process for the award of assessment services. Contact Joanne LaBaw at 206-553-2594 or labaw.joanne@epa.gov.

Under the EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities program, CCLR provides in-kind technical assistance and training to communities and other stakeholders on brownfields issues with the goal of increasing the community's understanding and involvement in brownfield cleanup and revitalization. The TAB grants serve as an independent source of information assisting communities with community involvement, better understanding the health impacts of brownfield sites, science and technology relating to brownfield site assessment, remediation, and site preparation activities, brownfield finance questions, and information on integrated approaches to brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Contact Ignacio Dayrit at 415-398-1080 x107 or ignacio.dayrit@cclr.org.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to award $600 million in TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants. Funds for the TIGER II program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups applying through a single lead, eligible applicant.

Pre-applications must be submitted by July 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The DOT pre-application system will open no later than June 15, 2010 to allow prospective applicants to submit pre-applications. DOT will evaluate all applications and announce the projects that have been selected to receive TIGER II Discretionary Grants no sooner than September 15, 2010.

Public comment on the NOFA will be accepted until May 28, 2010. For more information, see Question 3 of the FAQ (link below).

- Fact Sheet

- Full announcement and FAQ

- Interim Notice of Fund Availability

EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

Current Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2010 - Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received.

For more information, visit http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09-EDAP-FFO-FINAL.pdf

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, nonprofit organizations

Application Due: September 30, 2010

For more info, including contact info, go to the following link:

1) Independent cleanup with consultation (Voluntary Cleanup Program)

Under this option, you perform the cleanup independently and request technical assistance and opinions from Ecology on the sufficiency of your cleanup.  This option is known as the Voluntary Cleanup Program or VCP.

2) Independent cleanup without consultation

Under this option, you perform the cleanup independently without any Ecology involvement, either formal supervision or informal consultations.

3) Ecology-supervised cleanup without settlement

Under this option, your cleanup is supervised by Ecology under an agreed order.  That means schedules are negotiated with Ecology and plans are subject to public review and Ecology approval.

4) Ecology-supervised cleanup with settlement

Under this option, your cleanup is supervised by Ecology under a consent decree.  That means, as under the previous option, schedules are negotiated with Ecology and plans are subject to public review and Ecology approval.  Unlike the previous option, though, the decree settles your liability to the state and provides protection from third-party contribution claims.

Evergreen Tacoma Initiative will enable reinvestment, protect Puget Sound

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 the City of Tacoma, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) held a joint news conference to announce and explain a proposed national model called the Evergreen Tacoma Initiative. The Evergreen Tacoma Initiative takes a systematic approach to environmental cleanup by considering an entire area affected by soil and groundwater pollution, rather than by tackling the problem one parcel at a time. more>

Washington State Community Development Block Grant Program's 2010 Planning-Only Grants support eligible small communities and rural counties in Washington State in attaining the planning tools necessary to implement priority projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons.

Eligible applicants are Washington State cities and towns with less than 50,000 in population or counties with less than 200,000 in population that are non-entitlement jurisdictions or are not participants in a Department of Housing and Urban Development Urban County Entitlement Consortium. Maximum grants of $24,000 for single jurisdiction and $40,000 for multiple jurisdiction applications. In some cases, the maximum grant can be increased.

Application materials for CDBG Planning-Only Grants will be available until October 31, 2010 or as funds remain. For application materials and more information contact Janea Eddy at (360) 725-3006 or Janea.Eddy@commerce.wa.gov. Application materials are available at www.commerce.wa.gov/cdbg.

September 23, 2010 1:00 - 5:00 PM
CenterPlace, at Mirabeau Point Park, Spokane, WA

This half-day interactive work-shop will provide participants with an overview of the cleanup and redevelopment process to assist with Brownfield redevelopment projects.

Topics include: keys to success, liability and risk management tools, property valuation, the cleanup process, funding sources, integrated planning and case studies.

Who Should Attend: Local government, lenders, real estate professionals, developers, and citizens in Eastern Washington

Cost: Free! But space is limited.
RSVP by September 9 to:
Adrienne Dorra
adrienne.dorrah@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-7195

Sponsored by:
Washington Department of Ecology
City of Spokane
Washington Department of Commerce
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Save the Date!

October 7, 2010

Pre-conference workshops on October 6.

Returning for its third year, the 2010 Brownfields Redevelopment Conference will once again bring together the diverse parties that must collaborate to put contaminated properties back into productive use. This year's theme, Reclaiming Our Communities, reflects a focus on a community based integrated planning approach that looks at sites within a broader community development strategy. Given the current state of financial markets, the conference provides attendees with a realistic look at development opportunities, highlighting public projects and public/private partnerships - and the financial sources and tools that can support them.

Become a Sponsor

Registration Open!

The 2010 Western Brownfields Workshop
Missoula, Montana - September 14 - 16

EPA is now accepting registrations for the 2010 Western Brownfields Workshop in Missoula, Montana, September 14-16. This collaborative interactive workshop offers EPA Brownfields grantees in Regions 8, 9, and 10 an opportunity to network with other grantees, EPA representatives, and other public, private, and nonprofit Brownfields experts. It is is open to veteran and new EPA Brownfields grantees, those parties interested in applying for EPA Brownfields grants, federal and state partners, and consultants invited by grantees.

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Download the registration form. Any questions or completed registration forms should be directed to wbwregistration@sra.com.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to award $600 million in TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants. Funds for the TIGER II program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups applying through a single lead, eligible applicant.

Pre-applications must be submitted by July 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The DOT pre-application system will open no later than June 15, 2010 to allow prospective applicants to submit pre-applications. DOT will evaluate all applications and announce the projects that have been selected to receive TIGER II Discretionary Grants no sooner than September 15, 2010.

Public comment on the NOFA will be accepted until May 28, 2010. For more information, see Question 3 of the FAQ (link below).

- Fact Sheet

- Full announcement and FAQ

- Interim Notice of Fund Availability

EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

Current Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2010 - Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received.

For more information, visit http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09-EDAP-FFO-FINAL.pdf

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, nonprofit organizations

Application Due: September 30, 2010

For more info, including contact info, go to the following link:

February 3-5, 2011
Charlotte, NC

Today, more than ever, we are faced with environmental and economic challenges that will define our generation, shape our future, and test our resilience as cities, regions, states and a nation. Join leaders from across the U.S. as we tackle these challenges head-on and demonstrate smart growth solutions that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create a green economy, assure a healthy population, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans.

The program will kick off on Thursday morning and continue through Saturday afternoon and includes a dynamic mix of plenaries, breakouts, implementation workshops, specialized trainings, and coordinated networking activities. Exciting tours of local model projects from Charlotte, NC and surrounding cities will be featured. There will be something for everybody, from veteran experts to smart-growth novices, with nearly 90 sessions and workshops. Learn from hundreds of speakers who cross disciplines to share insights, and valuable tools and strategies for making smart growth a success in your community.

Plan to join us, and others, from across the U.S. next February for the smart growth event of the year! Visit www.NewPartners.org to get more details.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the 14th National Brownfields Conference will be held on April 3-5, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!