PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management has issued a request for proposals for a new round of matching grants from the Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund Tuesday, with a deadline of Dec. 1.
Rhode Island’s brownfields grant program, which covers 80 percent of a project’s cost, provides resources for site preparation and redevelopment projects, according to the RFP.
- Site preparation grants of up to $100,000 are available for properties that have been declared a brownfield based on previous site investigation work but lack an approved remedial action work plan.
- Grants can be used to fill gaps that exist in site investigation data and to develop and analyze actions necessary for an approved RAWP.
- Redevelopment grants of up to $500,000 are available for projects with completed and approved site investigations and an approved RAWP and remedial approval letter or order of approval through DEM.
The program, made possible by the 2016 Green Economy Bond passed by Rhode Island voters, will provide projects that promote renewable energy uses in the state with up to $2 million.
To date, the fund has distributed $5 million to 23 projects in 10 communities. The fund has $5 million available this year.
The DEM also announced an RFP for the Brownfields Remediation Revolving Loan Fund, which is funded up to $860,000. The DEM is operating in conjunction with R.I. Infrastructure Bank for the grants that provide long-term, low-cost financing to public and private businesses to clean up sites with hazardous waste – excluding petroleum.
Another $527,000 was made available for the Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program, which provides funding to municipalities and nonprofits to help evaluate brownfield sites and costs associated with remediation. Of the total, $327,00 is allotted for hazardous substance funding and $200,000 is available in petroleum funding.
The DEM has provided a single form to apply to all three brownfield programs at www.dem.ri.gov/brownfields. Final proposals and materials are due by 4 p.m. on Dec. 1. The DEM will also host an informal workshop to review the funding opportunities on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the DEM headquarters at 235 Promenade St., room 300 in Providence.
For more information on the Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program, municipalities and organizations can email DEM Sanitary Engineer Cory DiPietro at Cory.DiPietro@dem.ri.gov.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
