Titusville is among seven Florida communities selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to receive a Brownfields Cleanup and Assessment grant.
Brownfields grants help underserved and economically disadvantaged communities assess and clean up contaminated and abandoned industrial and commercial properties.
Titusville will get a $300,000 Assessment Grant which will be used to conduct environmental site assessments in the city’s downtown core, one of the most distressed areas of the city, according to a release from the EPA.
In particular, the EPA in its release cites one, unnamed, Main Street property as a priority saying it has a long history.
The property has been used for office space, warehouse and storage space, vehicle repair, cabinet manufacturing, a tattoo and piercing shop, a roofing company, and an A/C and heating repair shop.
Another, unnamed, adjacent property is also mentioned. It has been used for on-site vehicle repair and to store underground storage tanks.
The EPA grant will be used to develop an inventory list, prepare four cleanup plans, and support community outreach activities.
In all the EPA awarded $2.7 million to seven different Florida communities, including Titusville.
The other six communities that received Brownfield Cleanup and Assessment grants are:
1. Miami – 79th Street Corridor Neighborhood Initiative – $300,000 Assessment Grant
2. Clearwater – $300,000 Assessment Grant
3. East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Kissimmee, Longwood, Eustis, and Apopka -$600,000 Assessment Grant
4. Escambia County – $300,000 Assessment Grant
5. New Smyrna Beach – $600,000 Assessment Grant
6. Tampa – $300,000 Assessment Grant
“EPA’s Brownfields funding has a proven track record of transforming communities and turning abandoned and contaminated sites into true public assets,” said EPA Acting Region 4 Administrator John Blevins. “Brownfields projects spur economic development and attract jobs, grow innovative and lasting partnerships and can revitalize underserved communities.”
Talk of Titusville will always be free to access.
If you love what we’re doing, please consider becoming a monthly Supporter HERE.
EPA anticipates that it will award the grants once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied by the selected recipients.
Author: SpaceCoast Mike
Raised on the Space Coast, I want to keep North Brevard informed of what's happening. Send Tips / Story Ideas to TitusvilleMedia@gmail.com