PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management has issued a request for proposals for $750,000 in grants allocated for brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects, the DEM announced Monday.
The department will issue 10 grants, each up to $75,000 for projects for site preparation, clean up and redevelopment of contaminated properties in Rhode Island.
The department added a new category of potential projects called “simple site closure grants” aimed at finishing the redevelopment of sites already investigated and are on the path of remediation but have not yet been found compliant.
“Through this RFP, we’re looking forward to seeing applications for shovel-ready projects that clean up contaminated sites while generating full-time jobs and incorporating green energy elements,” said DEM Director Janet Coit in prepared remarks.
The brownfield grants provide 80% of funding for a remediation project’s costs, the DEM said, while the applicant must provide a minimum of 20% of the project cost. A grant match may include cash, in-kind contributions such as the value of equipment donated for use of the project, or the value of goods and services directly contributed to the project, if approved.
The $750,000 comes from $2.75 million available for brownfields overall, most of which was provided from the 2018 Green Economy Bond.
“Transforming contaminated brownfields sites into productive, cleaner spaces is one of the smartest investments government can make,” said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. “I am committed to putting brownfields grant dollars to the best use for Rhode Island communities and continuing to set bold goals for Rhode Island to be a cleaner, greener state.”
Responses to the RFP are now being accepted and are due by Aug. 9.
