Brownfields are complex sites, surrounded by additional liability concerns and regulatory processes. Brownfields also hold the key for many communities to revitalize their economy, become resilient in the face of climate change, and transform health outcomes and to provide neighborhoods with the jobs, housing, parks and amenities they need to thrive.
The Center for Creative Land Recycling provides free technical assistance to state and local governments, tribes, non-profits, housing authorities, development agencies, and other public entities through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA under the Brownfield and Land Revitalization Program. We serve EPA Regions 9 and 10, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and the Pacific Island territories.
Our experts have decades of experience working on brownfields projects across the country. View examples of our projects here. CCLR is an expert advisor available to support you throughout the lifetime of your redevelopment project. We will meet you where you’re at, help you work through problems, provide you with resources, help you apply for EPA brownfield grants, and connect you with others who can help.
If you are part of a private entity or other group, or are located outside of EPA Regions 9 and 10, please see information on our consulting services or contact us at [email protected] for information on how we may be able to provide discounted support based on project merit and demonstration of need.
The FY2025 EPA Brownfield Grant Application Period is Open
EPA anticipates awarding more than $230 million in ARC (Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, Cleanup) grants in fiscal year 2025. The application deadline is November 14, 2024.
EPA will provide the following grants in FY25:
- Community-wide Assessment (CWA)
- Assessment Coalition
- Community-wide Assessment for States and Tribes
- Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
- Cleanup Grants
CCLR offers cost-free review of EPA grant applications in Regions 9 and 10. Last year, 75% of the applications we reviewed were awarded, securing $14 million in funding across EPA Regions 9 and 10!
Email your FY2025 EPA Brownfield Grant Application to [email protected] by Friday, November 1st.
- Attach your application in Microsoft word (doc/docx) format
- Name the file: APPLICANT NAME_STATE_GRANT TYPE_Review Request. (Exp. City of Whoville_OR_Cleanup_Review Request)
- Consultants: If you are sending CCLR an application on behalf of an applicant, you must include the applicant’s contact information and cc the applicant in your email. We won’t begin application review until the applicant is included!
- We aim to turn around reviews within a week. All applications will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is reviewed.
Resources for Applicants:
EPA: MARC Grant Application Resources
EPA: Guidelines and Videos on Requirements
CCLR: Everything You Need to Know about the FY25 RFA
CCLR: Tips for Getting Started on Your FY25 Application
CCLR: examples of successful EPA grant applications
KSU Helpful Hints: CWA, CWA for States and Tribes, Coalition Grants, Revolving Loan Fund, Cleanup
EPA ARC Grant Trainings
EPA Webinars:
- FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria for entities applying for:
- Community-wide Assessment Grant funding
- Assessment Coalition Grant funding
- Community-wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes funding
- FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria for entities applying for:
- Revolving Loan Fund Grant funding
- Cleanup Grant funding
CCLR: Mr. Cleanup Grant: Practical Tips for EPA Cleanup Grant Success Webinar Recording | Slides
EPA Brownfield Services
EPA Brownfield Grants
EPA’s Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF and Cleanup (MARC) grants are awarded each year to address contaminated (or potentially contaminated) sites. While the grants available can vary from year to year, EPA opportunities include:
- Brownfields Assessment Grants: provide funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
- Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants: provide funding to capitalize loans that are used to clean up brownfield sites.
- Brownfields Cleanup Grants: provide funding to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the applicant.
- Multipurpose (MP) Grants: provide funding to conduct a range of eligible assessment and cleanup activities at one or more brownfield sites in a target area.
- Job Training (JT) Grants: provide environmental training for residents impacted by brownfield sites in their communities.
- State and Tribal Response Program Grants: provide non-competitive funding to establish or enhance State and Tribal Brownfields response programs.
CCLR provides annual review of EPA brownfield grants at no cost to you. Learn more about our grant review services.
Targeted Brownfield Assessments
EPA’s Targeted Brownfield Assessment (TBA) Program helps a community gather information about its brownfield sites in preparation for investment through a rolling application process.
EPA provides a cost-free contractor to provide services such as:
- Research into historical property use (phase I assessment)
- Environmental sampling (phase II assessment)
- Fact sheet preparation for staff and community
- Analysis to Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA)
Public entities and non-profit organizations are eligible for the TBA program. A TBA can help clear hurdles and answer questions for potentially contaminated properties in your community, paving a path towards cleanup and redevelopment activities.
Information about TBA in Region 9
EPA Brownfield Grant Resources
Dive into our extensive library of resources on a variety of redevelopment topics, funding sources, and important contacts in each state.
Take a look at our upcoming webinars and in-person events for additional learning, networking, and assistance opportunities.
From “Brownfields 101” to attracting a development partner, CCLR offers support for every step of your community’s brownfield redevelopment.
Our Impact
Claire Weston
Senior Program Manager
Claire manages CCLR’s EPA cooperative agreements, leading program development, strategy, reporting, and success story preparation. She has extensive EPA grant management experience and oversees workshop/webinar planning, resource development, and partnership cultivation in CCLR’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Provider role. Prior to CCLR, Claire directed public outreach initiatives and coordinated citizen science programs in upstate NY.
Ignacio Dayrit
Lead Program Consultant
Ignacio, a redevelopment expert, coordinates CCLR’s technical assistance program, drawing from his 20-year tenure with the City of Emeryville’s Redevelopment Agency. His extensive 30+-year public sector development experience encompasses financial analysis, financing, feasibility analyses, project and program management, and urban design. Instrumental in the city’s redevelopment of blighted, contaminated property, Ignacio holds degrees in Architecture and City Planning.
Devyn Rainwater
Senior Program Associate
Devyn serves as a project lead for various programs at CCLR, including the USEPA R9 Vacant to Vibrant outreach effort and an equity-focused learning module with Groundwork USA. She supports CCLR’s land-reuse TA delivery for EPA R9 and as a partner to the Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ). She has coordinated many CCLR-led webinars and workshops for events including the National Brownfields Conference. Devyn is passionate about CCLR’s environmental justice work!
Joelle Greenland
Senior Planning Consultant
Joelle, a certified planner, has been in the brownfields arena for over 30 years and is a brownfields redevelopment expert. Having written, secured and managed all types of EPA brownfields grants (including an RLF), she has a deep understanding of grant writing/management, procurement, visioning and the redevelopment process.
Sheryl Gonzales
Senior Brownfield Consultant
Sheryl has dedicated more than three decades to community betterment. She has held executive-level positions in government and nonprofit organizations, with expertise in planning and implementation, encompassing various projects, including strategic plans, marketing plans, fund development, parks and recreation master plans, economic development initiatives, and community outreach programs. She is committed to the health and wellness of a community, ensuring long-term sustainability through collaboration and partnerships.
