Blog Layout
Aug 26, 2019
ETCOG Seeks Information on Property Locations to be Considered for Economic Redevelopment Grant Application
ETCOG Member Jurisdictions May Partner or Apply
ETCOG is seeking property locations in East Texas to be considered for an economic redevelopment grant application to address and manage contaminated properties. In the coming months, we plan to apply for a grant through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Program, which provides grants and technical assistance to safely assess, cleanup, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.
The EPA launched the Brownfields program in 1995 and defines a “brownfield” as a property for which the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. There are estimated to be more than 450,000 Brownfields in the United States.
“The presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants at Brownfield sites represent significant health risks to the surrounding community,” said ETCOG’s Community Services Manager, Julie Burnfield. “Furthermore, areas surrounding Brownfield sites face ongoing economic challenges such as depressed property values, lack of employment opportunities and investment, and vacant properties can be a catalyst for crime, illegal dumping, and vandalism. It would be excellent to remedy any potential Brownfields locations within our region.”
“We recognize the importance of facing this challenge for the future health and well-being of East Texans,” said ETCOG’s Executive Director, David Cleveland. “We could use help from the local experts to identify properties in our region that could qualify. We also want to offer assistance to our members who wish to collaborate on this effort or need help with their own application.”
Through the East Texas Economic Development District (ETEDD), ETCOG can assist its member jurisdictions in researching, writing and/or administering grants, including grants offered through the EPA Brownfields Program.
To submit a property to be evaluated for inclusion in ETCOG’s Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant, contact Julie Burnfield
at (903) 218-6436 or Julie.Burnfield@etcog.org. The properties must be located within the ETCOG region including Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties.
For information on grant opportunities and assistance, members are encouraged to see the Grant Services
area of our website. For more information on the Brownfields Program, visit www.epa.gov/brownfields.
Media Contact:
Director of Communications
P: (903) 218-6442
ETCOG is proud to host the Texas Department of Agriculture on November 30th to hold a TxCDBG Kickoff Meeting. Join us to hear about grant allocations planned for our region and an overview of proposed changes to the application process.
The East Texas Council of Governments wants to ensure that our region is well-educated on recognizing housing discrimination and how to avoid and report it if encountered. Your voice matters! Take our Housing Survey.
In today's rapidly changing economic landscape, it has become evident that institutions of higher education play a crucial role in fostering vibrant economic ecosystems. These universities possess a wealth of economic development assets that can propel regional growth and innovation. Recognizing this immense potential, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has established the University Center program (PDF) to empower universities and consortia of institutions to establish and operate University Centers (UCs). The primary focus of these UCs is to harness the resources and capabilities of universities to build robust regional economic ecosystems that foster innovation, high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency, and inclusiveness. Since as early as FY 1980, EDA-funded UCs have been actively responding to the needs of small- and medium-sized manufacturers and processors by providing crucial technology transfer and commercialization assistance. Today, these UCs continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of their regions. Some UCs are at the forefront of creating a digitally inclusive economy, offering valuable resources and guidance in this digital age. Others are addressing the economic impacts resulting from the closure of major plants by collaborating with stakeholders in their regions. The strength of University Centers lies in their collaborative approach. They work hand-in-hand with other EDA partners, such as Economic Development Districts (EDDs), to combine their expertise, applied research, and technical assistance. This collaboration is aimed at developing, implementing, and supporting regional strategies that lead to tangible outcomes like job creation, the cultivation of high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion within innovation clusters. University Centers focus on several key areas, each crucial for the growth and resilience of a region. One such area is regional commercialization efforts. By leveraging university assets and expertise, UCs help bridge the gap between innovative research and commercial viability. They facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge technologies and intellectual property into the market, propelling the growth of local businesses and industries. If you are a university or part of a consortium of institutions passionate about driving regional economic growth, innovation, and resiliency, the EDA's University Center program presents an incredible opportunity. Joining this program will enable you to leverage the vast resources, expertise, and collaborative network of UCs to make a lasting impact on your region. To learn more about applying for the University Centers funding opportunity, please visit https://bit.ly/3ot5EQn .
CONNECT & COLLABORATE!
CONTACT US
QUICK LINKS
ETEDD
Helping lead the locally-based, regionally driven economic development planning process that leverages
the involvement of the public, private and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration.
