What is a Brownfield?
A brownfield is any property that is underutilized for various socioeconomic reasons such as abandonment, obsolescence, tax delinquency, and/or blight, and whose redevelopment is inhibited by the real or perceived presence of hazardous substances and environmental contamination.
Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) - new funding available
The goal of the Lycoming County Revolving Loan Fund (RFL) is to return Lycoming County Brownfield sites to productive use.The RLF Program was initiated through an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide low-interest loans and grants for financing brownfield site cleanups. The RLF is replenished with loan funds as they are repaid over the course of the loan repayment term, as determined by the County. Once repaid, these funds can be used for a wider range of brownfield activities. Both project sites and borrowers/grantees must be meet eligibility criteria.
Lycoming County’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Program builds upon its past success with two EPA grants – its 2005 Assessment Grant and its 2012 Coalition Assessment Grant (2012 BF Grant). Through these grants, the County inventoried over 60 potential BF sites. Many brownfield sites were also successfully cleaned up and redeveloped after the initial investment of grant funds.
RLF Forms
Program Overview
With a long tradition of manufacturing, Lycoming County has an array of brownfield sites. Historically, these properties have been viewed by the community as hopeless liabilities and often times, the property owners are hesitant to attempt to sell or otherwise redevelop the sites for fear of potential environmental liabilities. The intent of this project is to work cooperatively with site owners, government, and regulatory agencies to bring these properties back into productive use.
Brownfield Redevelopment Benefits
- Improved environmental quality
- Improved public health and safety
- Preserving green space through reuse of existing sites
- Leveraging existing infrastructure
- Fewer blighted buildings and sites
- New tax revenues from expanded tax base
- New jobs created
- Improved neighborhood visual impact
Project Success
This is the third EPA Brownfields grant received by Lycoming County with an initial $200,000 Brownfields Assessment grant awarded in 2005 to conduct brownfields assessment activities. Tasks associated with the first award included preparing a brownfields inventory and assessing parcels through environmental site assessments (ESAs). As a result of this project, nearly 80 sites were identified and prioritized, and 15 Phase I ESAs were conducted.
In 2012, Lycoming County and partners, including the City of Williamsport and Muncy Borough, were awarded a $550,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Lycoming County Brownfield Coalition project. This project updated the County’s existing brownfield inventory, conducted twenty-one (21) Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA), six (6) Phase II ESA on properties to identify any areas of environmental concern, completed two (2) Assessment of Cleanup Alternaves (ABCA). The result of the efforts will continue Lycoming County’s Brownfield redevelopment progress and promote the reuse of abandoned and underutilized sites throughout the county.
Additional Resources
Contact
Jenny Picciano, Community Development/Lead Planner
Lycoming County Department of Planning & Community Development
Phone: (570) 320-2136
Email: jpicciano@lyco.org