Stauber Joins EPA Administrator Wheeler in Announcing Brownfield Grant to Help Bolster Economy in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District

HERMANTOWN, MN – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) joined EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in announcing that the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission has been selected to receive a Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant worth $600,000. The Cities of Two Harbors, International Falls, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, and Cohasset, and Aitkin County – all within Minnesota's Eighth District – are considered coalition partners and have prioritized locations where the funding will be considered.

Of this grant, Congressman Stauber stated, "I am thrilled that communities within Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District will receive funds from this Brownfields Assessment Grant. These funds will be used to transform contaminated sites into community assets, helping to create jobs for hardworking Minnesotans and unleashing the economic engine. As we continue to fight the COVID-19 virus, this investment in our local communities is needed now more than ever."

Assessment activities will focus on seven areas in northeastern Minnesota that are residential, commercial, and industrial. These grant priority sites were made possible by the Opportunity Zone Program created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Background:

EPA's Brownfields program empowers states and communities to assess and clean up hazards in local communities. A brownfield is a formerly contaminated site that, once cleaned up, can be repurposed or reused – not only cleaning up the environment but allowing these properties to be used for economic development in communities. This creates jobs, helps local economies, increases tax bases, and opens new opportunities for previously un-used areas.

To date, EPA's Brownfields program has helped clean up over 2,000 properties and leverage more than 160,000 jobs.

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