News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 24, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces $1.5 million for brownfield cleanups

OLYMPIA – The state of Washington, in conjunction with the cities of Tacoma and Seattle, has received a $1.5 million federal grant to clean up slightly contaminated, abandoned properties often found in economically distressed urban areas, Gov. Gary Locke announced today.

“Washington has communities with old landfills, fish and food processors, industrial plants and mills that need to be returned to productive use. This program offers landlords and business owners the opportunity to begin that process,” Locke said.

The grant allows communities to establish revolving loan funds. They will provide low-interest loans to businesses to leverage funds to clear up and redevelop such properties, known as “brownfields.”

Seattle and Tacoma each will receive $500,000 to set up the revolving loan funds. In Seattle, the funds will target Duwamish area industrial properties. In Tacoma, targeted properties are in the downtown, port and south Tacoma industrial areas.

The remaining $500,000 will be allocated to other communities throughout the state which meet the loan criteria.

The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development will administer the funds. The state Department of Ecology serves as sight manager for the projects.

The funds are coming from the Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund, a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA divided $20 million among 30 recipients, including Washington.

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