EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announces that the agency is providing $6.9 million in supplemental funding for 25 current successful Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (Revolving Loan) grantees at the former Mercury Newspaper headquarters, located in an opportunity zone in Pottstown, PA. The RLF supplemental funds are being provided to communities that have demonstrated success in using their Revolving Loan program to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. The funds will be used to continue their progress in reusing vacant and abandoned properties and turning them into community assets such as housing, recreation and open space, health facilities, social services, and commerce opportunities.

The former Mercury Newspaper site, located at the center of Pottstown, was remediated using an RLF loan. Redevelopment of this prominent building at the center of the borough will create the first boutique hotel in the borough creating jobs and tax revenue and support the downtown’s burgeoning business and entertainment venues. “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,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This supplemental funding supports the Trump Administration’s commitment to reinvest in communities and provide opportunities by addressing properties with environmental challenges to improve human health and the environment.”

“Brownfields RLF projects help communities build upon successful ongoing efforts to clean up contamination, reuse existing infrastructure and provide economic opportunity for residents,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “Continued redevelopment of Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania have resulted in increased jobs and tax revenues, as well as increased residential property values in nearby neighborhoods.  We congratulate our recipients with this additional funding and look forward to seeing their progress and continued success in their redevelopment efforts.”

For more information, visit www.epa.gov.

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