|

What Is a Brownfield
The Small Business
Liability Relief and Revitalization Act of 2002 defines a Brownfield site
as "Real property, the
expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant."
The goal of Osceola
County's Brownfield Program is to put Brownfield sites back to use.
Ideally this means projects driven by the private sector so that
Brownfield sites can get back onto the local tax rolls and serve as
locations where jobs can be created; however, when appropriate the
Brownfield Authority will assist local government and governmental entities utilize
the Brownfield Program.
Brownfield Redevelopment
Authority Board
Day-to-day operation of
Osceola County's Brownfield program is carried out as part of the County's
Community Development program. A Brownfield Authority Board
appointed by the Board of Commissioners provides direction. The Board of Directors
normally meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the County
Courthouse, 301 West Upton, Reed City. The public is welcome to
attend.
Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes
United
States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Grants
In 2007 the Osceola County
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received a $200,000 Hazardous Substance Assessment Grant and a
$200,000 Petroleum Substance Assessment Grant from the United States
Environmental Protection Agency. The Hazardous Assessment Grant has
been closed out while only approximately $25,000 of Petroleum funds
remain.
EPA Fact Sheet
Specific activities under the grants included:
Community Outreach
Community outreach
meetings were held at several different locations around the county.
Additionally, information concerning Osceola County’s Brownfield Program
was placed on the Internet. While the Community Outreach objectives
of the grant have been met, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board
will always continue its outreach efforts.
If you
know of a community group or individual that is looking for a speaker
please let us know.
Brownfield Site Inventory
A
Brownfield Site Inventory database has been developed. It includes
information on both Hazardous Substance and Petroleum sites.
The database
is always considered a work in progress.
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments include historic record
searches, interviews, and a visual inspection of the property. If the Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment indicates a release of contamination may
have occurred then a Phase
II Environmental Site Assessment is undertaken. A Phase II
Environmental Site Assessment involves the sampling of soil and
water suspected of containing contamination. Environmental Site
Assessments are a normal part of most real estate transactions and
required by most financial institutions if financing the property.
If you are buying or selling property contact the Osceola County
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. These
environmental assessments can be done at no charge to the buyer or seller.
Baseline
Environmental Assessments
Baseline Environmental
Assessments and Due Care Plans can be conducted at no cost.
Baseline Environmental Assessments provide liability protection
for new owners or operators on a contaminated property.
Due Care Plans,
Brownfield Plans, and Act 381 Work Plans
Brownfield Plans and
Act 381 Work Plans can be developed when needed.
These plans can help the new property owner
recover certain eligible costs of property improvements.
Measures of Success
Criteria was
established to measure the success of the Osceola County Brownfield
Redevelopment Program. By all measures the program has been a
success. In November 2012 the Osceola County Brownfield
Redevelopment Authority submitted another Hazardous Substance Assessment
Grant application to the EPA.
| Local Funding
Leveraged |
$325,386 |
| State Funding
Leveraged |
$564,800 |
| Private Funding
Leveraged |
$26,290,000 |
| |
|
| Number of
Temporary Jobs Created |
117 |
| Number of
Permanent Jobs Created |
144 |
| |
|
| Number of Phase I Environmental Site
Assessments (ESA) Completed |
19 |
| Number of Phase I ESA Acres Assessed |
84.57 |
| |
|
| Number of Phase II Environmental Site
Assessments (ESA) Completed |
18 |
| Number of Phase II ESA Acres Assessed |
42.91 |
| Base Line Environmental
Assessments Completed |
3 |
| |
|
| Due Care Plans |
8 |
| Brownfield Plans |
2 |
Brownfield
Properties
The
Osceola County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has conducted assessment
work at 19 properties. Development has occurred, or is scheduled to
take place at most of these properties; however, several of the properties
are still available for sale. These Brownfield properties may be
attractive to a new owner or developer because, if needed, the the
Brownfield Authority may be able to pay for a Baseline
Environmental Assessment and Due Care Plan. The new owner or
developer may also be able to be reimbursed for certain development costs.
These properties are listed along with other available properties in the
Available Buildings/Properties section.
Brownfield Links
Brownfield Properties
Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Brownfield Website
Osceola Economic Alliance
301
W. Upton ● Reed City, MI 49677
Phone: (231) 832-7397 ● Fax: (231) 832-3381
Email the OEA
Last Updated:
February 02, 2012 |