We’re excited to share that our firm has successfully helped secure more federal support and funding for brownfields redevelopment in Virginia. The EPA announced that it awarded the Greater Williamsburg Partnership (GWP) and a regional coalition of localities a $600,000 Community-Wide Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant.
This brownfields project – which includes City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County – enables these localities to assess sites, particularly abandoned or run-down ones, for hazardous substances. Additional use of the federal funds includes conducting environmental site assessments and planning for site clean up and redevelopment actions. Sri Nathella, PE, Environmental Program Manager, will lead our firm’s partnership with GWP and our role in managing the grant’s implementation.
This story in the Virginia Gazette highlighted the grant and early stages of the brownfields redevelopment program.
Draper Aden’s History with Brownfield Success
Our firm has a long history of and substantial expertise in helping communities secure and implement significant brownfields redevelopment grants from the EPA, including in Pulaski, Martinsville, and Lynchburg.
“The changes that have taken place in the last couple of years are very exciting because there is a movement in the town of hope … it’s contagious,” said Peggy White, Executive Director, Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.
This work is so powerful because of the enduring effect on a region’s environment and economy. Our brownfields program implementation also reinforces our firm’s mission to leave a lasting, positive impact.
“The team at Draper Aden has been an invaluable partner in the City of Lynchburg’s Fields of Opportunity Brownfield initiative,” said Marjette Upshur of the City Lynchburg. “I attribute Draper’s knowledge and innovation to our success in receiving not one but two EPA Brownfield grants and numerous VBAF grants. Their responsiveness is unparalleled. I can’t say enough about the quality of the work and the staff from Draper.”
We believe the true value of this grant will be exponentially greater because it will serve as a significant catalyst to help transform the Greater Williamsburg area in a similar way to other communities like Pulaski and Lynchburg.
