We’re pleased to announce the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded us a grant to explore ways that transformation to the green economy can provide opportunities to redevelop brownfield sites in Great Lakes neighborhoods experiencing a high degree of economic distress, which we call “weak market communities.” Delta will receive $800,000 over the next four years for this work.

Brownfields, or abandoned commercial or industrial land that may be contaminated, are prevalent throughout the Great Lakes region. Our programs will target communities within 200 miles of Chicago, including inner-city neighborhoods, older suburbs and small poverty-stricken communities that have older commercial and industrial areas.

For these locales, we will study how new green policy drivers, such as climate change action plans, green building activities, and waste recycling mandates, which can also be a springboard for economic development. The study will also focus on greener methods for cleaning brownfield sites.

The grant will enable us to provide educational material, training and technical assistance, including technical assistance to start pilot programs over the four year period for local stakeholders, serving to build capacity and vision for more sustainable redevelopment of brownfields in a variety of communities.

Environmental and sustainability trends are gaining momentum in the Chicago region and present an opportunity for us to work together to raise the fortunes of weak market communities as well as stronger ones. The City of Chicago and smaller municipalities within the region, such as Aurora, Illinois and Grand Rapids, Michigan, have all adopted sustainability initiatives that will advance the Great Lakes green economy.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to expand the work we are already doing in the region and have funding to bring new ideas and tools to brownfield challenges that are linked to the greener economy,” said Chris Slattery, Delta’s Sustainable Economic Development Program Manager.

If you are interested in learning more about these programs, please send an email to brownfield@delta-institute.org to receive future information and updates.