Vermonters are known for their attitudes and practices in environmental stewardship. The Brownfields Initiative is an example of this commitment. The initiative combines the economic development expertise of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) with the environmental experience and technical know-how of the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR).

A brownfield is a property for which expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated due to the presence, or potential presence, of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. Turning these properties into productive, healthy and functionally beneficial community assets is a laudable goal, but it requires the close collaboration of all players involved. The ACCD and ANR work with you to help you through the clean-up and redevelopment effort.

The Vermont Brownfields Redevelopment Handbook is a good place to start to acquaint yourself with the process and partners involved in identifying, investigating, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields.

This fund is administered by the ACCD and provides eligible applicants with loans up to $250,000 at attractive rates and terms to use for the initial assessment, categorization, planning and clean-up process. Grants may also be available.

• Detailed Application Guidelines
• Application 1
• Application 2
• EPA Eligibility Determination

For those with the forethought and resourcefulness to take on a brownfields project, this program provides technical review, additional funding resources and liability protection.