■ Environmental Business
Continued From Page 28 of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M . LaTourette .“ This funding will be especially critical in Camden , which has been undergoing a significant transformation by cleaning up brownfield sites , combatting illegal dumping and turning vacant properties into community assets , such as the Kroc Community Center . For too long , financial barriers have prevented entities from developing contaminated sites due to the limited funding available for site assessments , planning , and cleanup . Today ’ s funding announcement will allow the NJDEP and the NJEDA to increase current programmatic efforts to remediate and redevelop contaminated sites , sparking community-wide economic revitalization and furthering Governor Murphy ’ s commitment to a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy and environment .”
“ Supporting communities as they work to clean up , revitalize , and redevelop contaminated properties is critical for stimulating economic growth and building a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy ,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan . “ Under Governor Murphy ’ s leadership , New Jersey has made great strides to ensure the equitable environmental and economic well-being of every New Jersey resident , regardless of ZIP code . Funding from the USEPA Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grant will allow the NJEDA to provide greater support for communities looking to remediate vacant and underutilized properties , therefore prioritizing the environmental , social , and economic needs of New Jersey ’ s neighborhoods and distressed communities .”
Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said : “ I commend President Biden ’ s Administration and our congressional delegation of Senator Bob Menendez , Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Donald Norcross for their efforts to ensure Camden receives this critical allocation . These contaminated sites are tremendous environmental challenges , public health risks , and problematic for future growth . The $ 3.5 million Brownfields Revolving Loan funding will help to provide a solution to these longtime nuisance properties . The USEPA has been an outstanding partner , and this is yet another example of their pledge to our city . This program is a step in the right direction as we improve the quality of life throughout Camden .”
Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes said : “ This is great news for Camden and our residents . Environmentally challenged communities like Camden have been viewed as a dumping ground for far too long . This funding will go a long way to change that mindset and clean up our city . These otherwise-useless sites can now be transformed into community assests and catalysts for new develop ment opportunities .”
Camden Redevelopment Agency Board Chairperson Ian Leonard said : “ The Camden
Redevelopment Agency ( CRA ) is pleased to receive a $ 3.5 million in supplemental Brownfield Revolving Loan Funds awarded by the USEPA . The USEPA has long been such a staunch supporter of the City of Camden , the CRA and its strategic partners ’ collective efforts to uplift and improve the quality of life for Camden residents . As an industrial legacy city , development in Camden almost always involves addressing contaminated property . The ability to effectuate positive change in redeveloping our city with partners like the USEPA and the NJDEP at the state and federal level is key to achieving those environmental justice changes in Camden that we all envision .”
A brownfield is a property for which the expansion , redevelopment , or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance , pollutant , or contaminant . Redevelopment made possible through the program includes everything from grocery stores and affordable housing to health centers , museums , greenways and solar farms .
The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 16-19 , 2022 , in Oklahoma City , Oklahoma . Offered every two years , this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties . The USEPA co-sponsors this event with the International City / County Management Association . Conference registration is open at
www . brownfields2022 . org .
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