Tulsa receives $300,000 For Brownfields cleanup

Tulsa, Oklahoma, projects to clean up contaminated property recently received $300,000 in supplemental funding from the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), a portion of the $10.7 million recently awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Tulsa is a nationwide leader in revitalizing neighborhoods by leveraging EPA brownfields grants to clean up abandoned, contaminated properties,” EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry said. “From the BOK Center to the Mayo Hotel, Tulsa has shown that environmental protection and economic development can go hand-in-hand.”

The EPA estimates that there are approximately 450,000 abandoned and contaminated sites across the country. In partially funding projects to rehabilitate and renovate these properties, the EPA helps them create jobs, promote public and environmental health and revitalize their communities, which typically experience economic growth. According to the EPA, a recent study showed property values increasing by 5 percent to 15 percent following the completion of brownfield cleanups and increases of $29 million to $97 million in tax revenue for local governments within a year of completion.

The EPA is planning to support 33 RLF grantees through supplemental funding, ranging from $200,000 to $500,000, which will aid cleanup efforts in 40 communities around the country. Supplemental funding helps already successful projects maintain momentum and finish their cleanup efforts.