DEM Announces New Round of Brownfields Grant Awards
Governor Gina M.
Raimondo and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced
the award of $3.26 million in matching grants under the Brownfields Remediation
and Economic Development Fund. 
Shannock once had several large, textile miles that left a legacy of
toxic waste
Thirteen projects across seven cities and towns
will receive funding, made possible by the 2018 Green Economy Bond.
Among the grants announced was $235,280 awarded to clean-up the old Shannon Mill site near the Charlestown line and the Pawcatuck River to prepare it for reuse.
Polluted industrial sites, known as brownfields, occupy many acres of desirable commercial and industrial space within the state's urban corridors.
Remediation
and reuse of these sites not only mitigate threats to public health and the
environment from exposure to uncontrolled contamination, but also create and
attract jobs, support small businesses, revitalize streets and neighborhoods,
and increase the community tax base.
"Investing
in the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields creates jobs, spurs economic
growth, and promotes healthy communities," said Governor Raimondo.
"These grant awards are particularly well-timed to help stimulate our
economy, putting Rhode Islanders back to work on shovel-ready projects."
"The
community cleanups and investments made possible by brownfields grants
underscore the power of the green economy bonds that finance them," said
DEM Director Janet Coit. "From protecting the environment to supporting
economic development to strengthening our resiliency in the face of climate
change to upgrading critical clean water infrastructure, green bonds improve
the lives of every Rhode Islander. This is why Rhode Island voters have a long
history of supporting environmental bonds."
Brownfield Grants Fast Facts
• DEM is
awarding 13 brownfields grants for projects in Central Falls, Pawtucket,
Providence, Richmond, Scituate, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.
• The grant
awards total $3.26 million, which includes $2 million from the 2018 Green
Economy Bond and the balance remaining from leftover monies unspent from
previous rounds of grant awards.
• Of the 13
grants, five are for site preparation and eight are for redevelopment.
• In all, the 13
funded projects will create 1,845 construction jobs and 477 permanent jobs.
Eight are in environmental justice areas. The projects will unlock $177 million
in additional investments and promote smart growth by reclaiming and reusing
valuable real estate.
Project description:
Shannock Mill
Address: 225 Shannock Village Road, Richmond Grant: $235,280 redevelopment.
Description:
Large site with several remedial needs. Funding would assist in writing a Remedial
Action Work Plan Addendum and excavating contaminated soil and material as the
site is redeveloped into a diverse mixed-use development that will provide
riverfront access and greenway-related amenities.
The
redevelopment will result in at least 20 construction jobs and the potential
for over 200 permanent jobs.
Excluding the grant awardees announced today, $12 million from DEM's Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund has capitalized 54 projects in 14 communities across Rhode Island.
This money has leveraged more than $835 million in other
investment and supported around 7,800 jobs, helping build new schools,
businesses, affordable housing, and green energy projects throughout the state.