NADO Research Foundation Opportunities and Challenges for Rural and Small Communities Brownfields

NADO Research Foundation The Issues of Being Rural? Population – up to 50,000 Definition of rural differs according to agency and location Planning processes differ – transportation, emergency,etc.

NADO Research Foundation Challenges for Rural Brownfields abundant green space Rural geography with abundant green space, inaccessibility Rural demographics – sparse population, out migration, poverty Limited and inconsistent resources – capital and technical expertise Inadequate infrastructure Local community leaders’ incomplete knowledge about brownfields Public perception, misinformation and fear

NADO Research Foundation Overcoming Rural Challenges Local champion Community involvement at every step, i.e CEDS Pursue several different funding sources Educate community leaders through local media, site visits, forums, planning sessions Present best practices from nearby redevelopments Use regional, state and national development organizations Take risks and be innovative, flexible and have a redevelopment vision

NADO Research Foundation Economic Opportunities The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

NADO Research Foundation Rural Brownfields Opportunities Economic development Community revitalization Job creation and retention Increases community tax base Enhances tourism development Builds community partnerships

NADO Research Foundation Rural Regions Taking Advantage Now more than ever, rural applicants need to be involved with the new grant opportunities offered by the EPA Brownfields Program New definition of brownfields including mine- scarred lands and petroleum contaminated sites New funding and technical assistance sources, e.g. EPA cleanup, University Centers working with regional economic organizations like regional councils Technology

NADO Research Foundation A Regional Rural and Small Communities Brownfields Tour EPA Region 4; Land-of-Sky Region: Asheville, North Carolina Region population: 345,000;Four counties; 15 cities and towns Four small city sites: Woodfin, Heart of Fletcher, Hendersonville and Asheville. Funding: EPA Brownfields programs, the EDA and Advantage West. Promotional support comes from regional partners such as the Appalachian Regional Commission.

NADO Research Foundation A Regional Rural and Small Communities Brownfields Tour EPA Region 10 Bandon, Oregon City population 2,833 Phase I included a cultural assessment. Two waterfront sites top the agenda: 1.) Former Nestle condensed milk/mill truck stop facility and; 2.) Former marine yard site on the Coquille River. Phase I’s have all been completed. Preparing a quality assurance plan and Phase II sampling. A local community task force has given guidance. A complete over water redevelopment.

NADO Research Foundation A Regional Rural and Small Communities Brownfields Tour Location: EPA Region 6 City of Federick Population: 4,637 EPA Assessment Pilot Grant for region: 1999 Recipient: Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments Region: 8 counties; 11 cities; 60 towns

NADO Research Foundation A Regional Rural and Small Communities Brownfields Tour EPA Region 1 Windham Region: Brattelboro, VT Population 46,453 in 27 communities The Windham Regional Commission used geographical information systems (GIS) to map watersheds and industrial sites to determine priority brownfields redevelopment sites.

NADO Research Foundation A Regional Rural and Small Communities Brownfields Tour  Socorro, Texas ( 30 miles Southeast of El Paso)  Population: 23,000  Project start date: 1998 from a Regional EPA Brownfields Pilot Grant  Cost: To date $653,000 (not including insurance); $389,000 was the cost alone for legal, architectural and engineering fees. The Rio Vista Farm: The Farm is being redeveloped into a community center. The site already offers senior services, health services, courthouse and English Second Language (ESL) courses. Look familiar? This site was the movie set for Traffic, starring Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Benicio Del Torro. The film received four Academy Awards. The City received about $10,000 for leasing the site one month and the film company paid for the redevelopment permanent improvements. Just one of approximately 75 sites within the region which received EPA Brownfields Pilot grants in 1998 & EPA Region 6

NADO Research Foundation National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation Kelly Novak NADO Research Foundation Rural Brownfields Awareness Project 400 N. Capitol St., NW Suite 390 Washington, DC Phone: Fax: