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Shreveport Groups to Receive more than $200,000 from EPA

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

      Two Shreveport groups have been selected to receive $235,955 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.

      Five other groups in Louisiana will also receive grants, bringing the state's funding to more than $1 million this year.  The city of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge will receive $200,000. The city of West Monroe, Ouachita Parish Law Enforcement District and Main Street USA, Inc., will each receive $200,000. The East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority will receive $58,969.

      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.