KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Biden-Harris administration along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announcing on Thursday, May 25 that $9.3 million is on it’s way to Michigan to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in the state.
The EPA selected seven communities to include two areas in Southwest Michigan that will grab their share of more than $1 million through the president’s Investing in America Agenda.
Barry County is set to get a $400,000 dollar grant for the cleanup of the 8.23-acre former Hastings Manufacturing Company Industrial Landfill and Royal Coach site that was destroyed by a fire in 2020, along with the 1.95-acre former Hastings Manufacturing Company Warehouse No. 80 which was used to store parts and chemicals, and the 3.3-acre Hastings Metal Recycling Center formerly used to salvage steel, copper, aluminum, zinc, electronics, and car batteries.
“The $400,000 assessment grant is transformational for Barry County. This allows our Brownfield Redevelopment Board to continue the momentum of working with our community partners to evaluate sites with potential risk factors and repurpose them for development,” said David Jackson, Chairman of the Barry County Board of Commissioners. “We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the EPA. These funds have been a critical resource fostering positive growth and repurposing properties with potential environmental risk in Barry County.”
The City of Parchment will receive an $800,000 dollar grant for a Phase II environmental site assessment and to clean up metals, solvents, and petroleum at the 31-acre Parchment Mill No. 2 site which closed in 2000. Officials say the grant will also fund community engagement activities.
“We are extremely excited to be receiving this Multipurpose Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” said Parchment Mayor Robert D Britigan III. “It will be a catalyst for cleaning up and preparing our mill property for sustainable development into the future.”
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