Delaware County Awarded $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant to Spur Redevelopment
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA – The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Delaware is proud to announce its successful award of $500,000 in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2025 Brownfields Community-wide Assessment Grant program. This amount represents the highest level of funding available through the program.
This highly competitive grant will support the County’s ongoing mission to identify and assess brownfield properties, which are sites that may be contaminated or underutilized, in preparation for cleanup and redevelopment. The funding enables Delaware County to conduct critical Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to determine the environmental conditions of targeted properties, thereby removing barriers to investment and revitalization.
“This funding is a significant win for Delaware County,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “We are thrilled to learn that our Redevelopment Authority has received $500,000 from the EPA – the maximum award for brownfield assessment; and we are especially proud of the outstanding leadership of Laura Goodrich Cairns and the Economic Development Corporation for securing these critical resources. This grant will help us lay the groundwork for a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future for our communities.”
The Brownfields Assessment Grant supports local planning, environmental testing, and community engagement efforts to prepare brownfield sites for redevelopment. These often-overlooked properties can become community assets when given the attention and resources they require.
“This 500,0000 represents an important step forward for Delaware County’s environmental and economic health,” said Delaware County Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer. “These kinds of investments are key to turning underutilized properties into opportunities for growth and revitalization.”
Matthew Sullivan, Chair of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Delaware (RDA), emphasized the significance of the award, stating, “The award will allow the RDA to continue its important work on revitalizing communities in our County. Being able to provide funding for Phase I and Phase II ESAs, coupled with the revolving loan funds that we received from EPA in 2023, allow us to provide significant financial incentives for these revitalization efforts.”
The DCEDC and the Redevelopment Authority will begin the process of identifying priority sites across the county and working with local stakeholders to support brownfield redevelopment opportunities that align with community needs.
Additional details on specific sites will be announced in the coming months. For more information, please contact the Delaware County Redevelopment Authority at (610) 556-2225 or visit us online at www.delcopa.org.
About Delaware County Redevelopment Authority (RDA):
The Redevelopment Authority of Delaware County serves as the key vehicle for land acquisition and revitalization throughout the county. The RDA has the authority to facilitate development through strategic property assemblage and administers the Brownfields Pilot Program, which supports the assessment and redevelopment of underutilized or environmentally challenged sites to promote sustainable growth and community revitalization.
About Delaware County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC):
The Delaware County Economic Development Corporation is committed to the economic growth and development of Delaware County by providing resources, support, and partnerships to create a vibrant business environment.
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