Three East Tennessee counties receive grants for brownfield redevelopment
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Three counties in East Tennessee are among a total of 36 Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grants, or BRAG, totaling nearly $720,000.
Anderson County and Elizabethton in Carter County each received $20,000 and Roane County received $19,910 to help redevelop brownfield areas, which are vacant or underutilized properties due to contamination.
Remediation of these properties minimizes threats to public health, safety, and the environment, officials said. The sites vary in size, location, age, and past use.
The grants, which were announced back in July, were given to the respective recipients earlier this month. All three said they will use the funds to identify priority sites for redevelopment.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) presents a check for $20,000 to Anderson County for its plans in brownfield redevelopment. From left are Rep. Rick Scarbrough, R-Oak Ridge; John LeCroy, deputy director of the Division of Stakeholder Engagement for TDEC; Terry Frank, mayor of Anderson County; and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge.(TDEC)
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) presents a check for $20,000 to Roane County for its plans in brownfield redevelopment. From left are Amy Dyman, coordinator of the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant program; Wade Creswell, county executive for Roane County; and John LeCroy, deputy director of TDEC’s Office of External Affairs.(TDEC)
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) presents a check for $20,000 to Elizabethton for its plans in brownfield redevelopment. From left are Rep. Renea Jones, R-Unicoi; Jan Compton, regional director for TDEC; William E. “Bill” Carter, mayor of Elizabethton; Michael Simerly, mayor pro-tem of Elizabethton; and Deb Gouge, member of the Elizabethton City Council.(TDEC)
“These grants address significant issues with blighted properties across Tennessee,” Lee said. “The process of cleaning up a contaminated property and turning it into an asset is an important step in environmental stewardship. We commend the communities who have gone through the application process.”
Click here for the full list of 36 recipients of the grant.
