HUNTINGTON – The regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday praised six West Virginia communities and agencies for their redevelopment of brownfields throughout the state.
The EPA define brownfields as real property that may be complicated by contamination. The agency has invested more than $18 million in brownfields redevelopment, expansion or reuse projects throughout West Virginia since 1997.
Shawn Garvin recognized six communities that received EPA brownfields grants worth a total of $1.32 million. He highlighted many successful brownfields projects during West Virginia's Brownfields Conference in Huntington.
“I can’t overstate the importance of brownfields restoration – which is spurring economic development, revitalizing communities and protecting people’s health and our environment here in West Virginia and across the country,” Garvin said “This conference allows us to share successful strategies for redevelopment that can be adopted in other West Virginia communities.”
Garvin awarded the grants to representatives of the Wayne County Economic Development Authority, the city of Morgantown, the city of Thomas, Wyoming County Economic Development Authority, the city of Charles Town and West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection.
West Virginia brownfields projects have resulted in the development of commercial sites, parks and playgrounds. West Virginia EPA brownfields grantees have worked with many partners to leverage an additional $60 million for the renovation projects.
EPA praises groups for redeveloping brownfields
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