The Pulse of Pottstown Continues to Strengthen as US EPA Administrator Announces Grants to Revitalize Community
On June 10, 2020, US EPA Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, held a press conference in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, announcing the Brownfields Grants and the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants. The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Montgomery (MCRDA) received $300,000 in Assessment Grant funds to focus on high-priority sites in Pottstown. MCRDA is also receiving $300,000 in supplemental RLF grant funding.
Assessment activities will focus on two areas — the Keystone Employment and Economic Plan (KEEP) project site and the Town Core sites area — within the Borough of Pottstown, which has three Qualified Opportunity Zones. The 255-acre KEEP project site consists of 13 abandoned and underutilized commercial and industrial properties. The Town Core sites area also includes multiple abandoned, vacant or underutilized parcels located near the Schuylkill River.
Environmental Standards serves as MCRDA’s environmental consultant providing a variety of brownfield-related services:
- Grant implementation and management
- Site inventorying services
- Progress and financial reporting
- Environmental site assessments, cleanup planning
- Community outreach support
- Remedial oversight
- Grant application assistance
For the KEEP project site and the Town Core sites area, Environmental Standards will continue to provide MCRDA and the Pottstown area with Phase I and II environmental site assessment (ESA) services. As we do with several other municipalities and economic development authorities, we will also assist the MCRDA with the implementation and management of the new Assessment Grant.
In addition to the $300,000 Assessment Grant funds, Administrator Wheeler announced that the agency is providing $6.9 million in supplemental funding for 25 current successful Brownfields RLF grantees. “Every community receiving additional funding today from the EPA has Opportunity Zones within their jurisdiction, meaning these cleanup activities at local brownfield sites will not only address legacy contamination, but also spur new economic opportunities where it is needed most.” During the press conference, Administrator Wheeler also stated, “For every $100,000 of EPA Brownfields funds expended on assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan fund cooperative agreement, nine jobs are created.”
Pottstown, located 20 minutes from the Valley Forge headquarters of Environmental Standards, was incorporated as a borough in 1815 on land originally deeded to William Penn. Pottstown’s iron and steel interests were once extensive, in addition to its rolling mills, furnaces, nail works, textile mills, foundries and manufacturing. This once thriving Steel Belt town became part of the Rust Belt with the declining role of manufacturing. With persistence and vision, the MCRDA and programs like US EPA Brownfields Grants and the RLF Grants, Pottstown is experiencing a rebirth.
“I Pick Pottstown!” stickers add a bold pop of color on residents’ windows. New homeowners are attracted to the area because of the beautifully restored, crafted and many one-of-a-kind, Federal, Victorian, Georgian Revival, Bungalow, and Tudor Revival homes. A revamped farmer’s market, emerging arts community including the Steel River Playhouse, and trendy restaurants and breweries with live music are giving Pottstown a revived pulse.
Environmental Standards is proud to be part of revitalizing this neighboring community.