Metro Hartford Brownfields

What are Brownfields?

Brownfields are underutilized properties which are difficult to redevelop due to the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. As a former manufacturing hub, the Greater Hartford region contains many such sites, including historic factories, agricultural land, former dry cleaners, former gas stations, and other stagnant properties. While there are more than half a million identified Brownfield sites in the U.S., the numbers are likely much higher.

Our Programs

MetroHartford Brownfields Assessment Program
Since 2004, we’ve managed five U.S. EPA assessment grants totaling $1,600,000 and a $200,000 grant from the State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

We have conducted 34 environmental site assessments and/or remediation planning projects in 10 municipalities.

MetroHartford Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program
This program provides subgrants and/or loans with flexible and favorable terms to assist with cleanup of contamination at eligible Brownfields sites. Loans are available to municipalities, developers, property owners, and non-profits if they meet the eligibility requirements; subgrants are available for CRCOG member municipalities. Applications are accepted on a revolving basis, reviewed as they submitted with quarterly notices of loan approval.

Why We Do It

CRCOG and the MetroHartford Alliance believe that one of the greatest economic challenges facing our region is finding available sites for new and expanding industry. Cleaning up contaminated sites allows them to be recycled into new economic opportunities for companies expanding or relocating into the area.  The increased value of these properties will bring additional revenue to our municipalities, help revitalize communities, and provide alternatives to sprawl development. Such investments can be a catalyst for development that supports the major transit investments now being undertaken in the region, particularly CTfastrak and CTrail, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail line.

How We Can Help

Using our grant funding we commission environmental assessments and remedial action planning on municipally sponsored properties suspected of being contaminated by petroleum and/or other hazardous substances.  Applications must be filed by a CRCOG member municipality, but work may be carried out on a site owned by a private or non-profit entity. Once the extent of contamination is known, we can assist with cleanup of contaminated sites using the Revolving Loan Fund program.

For more information about the MetroHartford Brownfields Program contact Maureen Goulet at 860-724-4211.

Resources

  • DECD Municipal Brownfields Grant Program
  • EPA Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF and Cleanup Grant Application Resources

You can find out more about federal and state Brownfields laws and regulations at:

  • US EPA Brownfields Program
  • CT Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development
  • CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection