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903-218-6400

3800 Stone Road
Kilgore, TX 75662

BROWNFIELDS

A community re-development program for properties that are abandoned or underutilized because of suspected environmental contamination from past uses.

What is a brownfield?

Many of our communities have properties that are abandoned or underutilized because of suspected environmental contamination from past uses. These properties are commonly referred to as “Brownfields.”


Brownfield – noun. 1. real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. 2. abandoned or underutilized property that is not being redeveloped because of fears that it may be contaminated with hazardous substances.


Environmental impacts from historic industrial operations and commercial activities have resulted in vacant and underutilized (“brownfield”) properties throughout our communities. Brownfield sites can be found in many different forms and may include derelict mills and factories, salvage yards and dump sites, former dry cleaners, old railyards and truck depots, former gas stations and other auto-related businesses, dilapidated and aging buildings, and other vacant and underutilized commercial and industrial properties.

Brownfield Site Reuse & Revitalization Program

In 2023, the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) was awarded a $1,000,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant is managed by ETCOG with support from an environmental consulting team led by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. The grant will fund environmental site assessment (ESA), regulated building materials (RBM) survey, site cleanup/reuse planning, and related activities at publicly- and privately-owned brownfield sites.

Funding is available through September 2027. 


Vision: Revitalize vacant and underutilized (“brownfield”) properties in East Texas to provide benefits to the community, including job creation, increased property values, environmental restoration, and reduced health risks.


Mission: Use EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant funding to prioritize brownfield sites for redevelopment, assess existing site conditions, and plan for cleanup and reuse of priority sites throughout our community.


Eligible Sites might include, but are not limited to:

Former industrial sites

Underutilized warehouses & commercial facilities

Former railyards and truck depots

Former gas stations

and auto shops

Old building with

asbestos or lead paint

Former dry cleaners

Salvage yards, dumps,

 and landfills

Brownfield Site Nomination Form

ETCOG is taking feedback on potential hazardous environmental site locations for remediation and economic growth. Please fill out this short form to submit a potential brownfields location.

Nomination Form

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • What is a brownfield?

    Brownfields are vacant and underutilized properties previously used for industrial or commercial activities that may have resulted in contamination from petroleum or hazardous substances but can be cleaned up and reused.

  • What are the benefits of brownfield redevelopment?

    Property owners, businesses, and developers who clean and reuse brownfields provide benefits to themselves and their communities, including:

    • Removing unknowns regarding site conditions that might hold up a sale or redevelopment.
    • Increasing return from the property by making it more valuable and marketable.
    • Contributing to economic prosperity and environmental restoration in the community.
    • Making neighborhoods safer and healthier.
    • Avoiding actions by regulatory agencies that may impose penalties and costly cleanups.
    • Reducing the potential that adjacent properties could be impacting their property (and vice versa).

  • What will grant funds be used for?

    Grant funding can be used to inventory, assess, and conduct cleanup/reuse planning for priority sites. 

  • What sites are eligible for grant funds?

    Sites eligible for grant-funded activities include private- or public-owned properties with known or suspected contamination and properties where sale, reuse, or redevelopment is planned. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Eligible sites may include (but are not limited to):

    • Former manufacturing and industrial sites (e.g. shuttered mills and factories, old tank farms, etc.)
    • Vacant or underutilized warehouses and commercial facilities (e.g. aging strip malls)
    • Former gas stations and other auto-related businesses
    • Former dry cleaners
    • Old rail yards and truck depots
    • Salvage yards, landfills and unpermitted dumping sites
    • Buildings with asbestos, lead paint, mold or other hazardous substances

  • Who should I contact with questions?

    Please reach out to members of our Economic Development team. Reach out to Bridget Booty for assistance. 
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