RI Gov., DEM award $3.7 million for Brownfields redevelopment

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo and the state's Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) recently announced 14 grants totaling $3.7 million from the Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund.

"Redeveloping brownfields is a win all around for Rhode Island," Raimondo said. "We're cleaning up blighted properties, creating jobs, opening up valuable real estate, and promoting public health. These projects are seeds that will bear fruit for our economy and environment for years to come, and they are good examples of how we can work together to rebuild Rhode Island and accelerate economic growth."

The projects, which will also receive matching funds from grant awardees, will target contaminated properties, especially in urban areas, and redevelop them for future use. Grants awarded range from $23,760 to $712,000 and were issued for both site preparation and site redevelopment projects.

"We are thrilled to announce these awards and support so many worthy projects across the state," RIDEM Director Janet Coit said. "Decades of effort have gone into improving the health of our lands and waters, and we've made significant progress. Cleaning up these former industrial sites is yet another critical step forward in safeguarding these precious resources and ensuring Rhode Island remains a wonderful place to visit, live, and raise a family."