All News Releases By Date

Louisiana Groups to Receive more than $1 Million from EPA

Release Date: 5/10/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Seven Louisiana groups have been selected to receive $1,072,651 in Brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced in Shreveport today.

     "Brownfields grants help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use," Greene said. "I am glad that EPA can support the good work Louisiana has begun and I look forward to applauding its achievements."

     "This is another example of the Department of Environmental Quality and EPA partnering in an effort to improve Louisiana's environment," DEQ Secretary Mike McDaniel said. "The number of grants and the additional funding are positive steps in the Brownfields initiative. The redevelopment of these areas of concern will advance the state's economic development efforts."

     Two nonprofit groups in Shreveport will receive Brownfields grants. The Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana will receive $85,955 to continue its work to develop the InterTech Science Park by addressing hazardous substances at the former Sproull property.  This will prepare the site for the expansion of Red River Pharma's manufacturing and research facilities.

     The North Shreveport Development Corporation will receive $150,000 to address hazardous substances at the Moran Galvanizing Industrial area near the Shreveport Convention Center.  The Corporation plans to redevelop the site into an open-air year-round farmer's market.

     In addition, the city of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge will receive $200,000 to assess approximately 28 sites suspected to contain petroleum contamination from underground storage tanks.

     The city of West Monroe will receive $200,000 to assess approximately 31 suspected hazardous substances sites.

     Ouachita Parish Law Enforcement District will receive $200,000 to address hazardous substances at the E.A. Conway Hospital in Monroe, the future site of the Ouachita Parish Law Enforcement District headquarters.

     Main Street USA, Inc. will receive $200,000 to address hazardous substances at the 1201 Main Street property and expand redevelopment in the "Spanish Town" neighborhood in Baton Rouge.

     East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority will receive $58,969 to address petroleum contamination and prepare the 1705 Highland Road property in Baton Rouge for redevelopment.

     A Brownfield is a property which may have expansion, redevelopment or reuse challenges from hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. EPA's Brownfields program is designed to help stakeholders prevent, assess, safely clean and sustainably reuse these properties.  Reinvesting in Brownfields increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, uses existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off undeveloped land, and improves and protects the environment.

     Four categories of Brownfields grants are being announced nationwide today to 218 applicants selected to receive 302 grants totaling $75.9 million.  More information about EPA's Brownfields program and the grant recipients is available at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/.  An audio clip is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/radio.htm.