The Grow America EPA-supported Technical Assistance for Brownfields Collaboration

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About this Collaboration

This initiative by Grow America and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) provides financial technical assistance to strengthen EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) programs. Leveraging proven expertise, the program supports both new and existing grantees in establishing long-term successful RLF programs, focusing on financial capacity, networking, and training.

Program Goals

1. Partner to build successful, long-term RLF programs
2. Develop RLF cooperative agreement recipient (CAR) expertise through outreach, training, and coaching
3. Connect new RLF CARs with experienced RLF CARs who have successfully implemented long-term RLF Programs and have expertise in brownfields assessment, cleanup, and reuse
4. Facilitate meetings between potential and existing RLF CARs and other RLF stakeholders, including developers, lenders, and environmental justice organizations, to increase capacity and understanding of how to build a successful RLF Program
5. Support RLF CARs by developing an easily accessible toolkit with templates (e.g., model loan and subgrant agreements), examples, and other outreach materials that will benefit both new and established RLF programs

Key Activities

1. Research Existing RLF Programs: Conduct stakeholder interviews across EPA regions and other entities (e.g., HUD, CDFIs) to identify needs, assess current programs, and establish best practices for public-sector lending.
2. Build Partnerships: Launch a training series with webinars and materials tailored for new and existing RLF applicants to improve program success; create an on-ramp for new RLF applicants.
3. Cultivate Expertise: Establish a cohort training program, provide on-demand technical assistance, and develop online training modules.
4. Facilitate Peer-to-Peer Exchanges: Build an online resource bank, including best practices, tools, and materials, accessible through a dedicated portal.
5. Develop a Network: Establish an RLF Advisory Council that meets monthly to expand the capabilities of the team. We will use this as an opportunity to enhance the online portal and its offerings.
6. Create Toolkits: Develop and provide training on toolkits, including templates and resources, to streamline RLF program implementation and management.

Program Benefits

Brownfield cleanup and reuse are integral components of EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. By definition, brownfield sites are a potential source of environmental contaminants that could negatively affect human health and the environment. 

Grow America’s technical assistance will provide existing and potential RLF Grant recipients with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to tackle brownfields thereby reducing threats to human health and the environment, supporting Goal 6 – Safeguard and Revitalize Communities, Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities of EPA’s Strategic Plan.

Resources and Helpful Sites

• EPA: Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund RLF Grants
• EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program program brochure

For more information, please contact:
epa-rlf-tab@growamerica.org