News Releases from Region 05

EPA Announces $300,000 to Clean up Contaminated Site in Rockford

For Immediate Release   No. 16-OPA025

EPA Announces $300,000 to Clean up Contaminated Site in Rockford

CHICAGO – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a $300,000 loan to help the city of Rockford, Ill., begin removing lead-based paint from a property slated for redevelopment as a hotel.

"EPA’s Brownfield program will help Rockford revitalize a distressed property, improve public health, create jobs and boost local economic opportunities," said Region 5 Acting Superfund Director Douglas Ballotti. “EPA’s funds often make the difference that helps leverage private sector resources to make cleanups and reuse of properties possible.”

Removing lead-based paint is the first step toward redevelopment of the property near the UW Health Sports Factory on the Rock River.  Due to the sports center’s popularity, hotel rooms are urgently needed in downtown Rockford.  EPA’s cleanup is slated to begin later this year.

EPA stimulates the economies of distressed communities with loans and sub-grants ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 for cleanup and redevelopment at brownfield sites.

There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated sites in the United States. Since the inception of EPA’s Brownfields program in 1995, cumulative investments have leveraged nearly $21 billion from a variety of public and private sources for cleanup and redevelopment activities.

More information on EPA’s Brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

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