“This economic recovery funding serves an important function for our local communities seeking to transform damaged properties into productive residential and commercial institutions,” said Stabenow. “Cleaning up these contaminated sites will help aid in the economic recovery of our communities by removing barriers to redevelopment, and helping to move our economy forward.”

“Brownfield funding is critically important to Michigan in performing environmental assessment and cleanup at contaminated sites around the state, creating jobs and boosting economic revitalization,” said Levin, co-chair of the Senate Smart Growth Task Force. “I am hopeful this investment will help communities in Michigan restore and revitalize former commercial and industrial sites for the betterment of the environment and our economy.”

The EPA Brownfields Program has been in existence since the early 1990s. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to give EPA specific statutory authority to address Brownfields, and to help states and communities around the country cleanup and revitalize brownfield sites, where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

More detail on the recipients of funding in Michigan is expected to be released soon.