| PCEDC: Media Release |
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On Monday, the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) was awarded a $200,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. This grant will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, remediation (cleanup) planning, and reuse planning on selected former industrial or commercial sites in Piscataquis County that sit idle or underused due to real or perceived environmental contamination, which are known as Brownfields. The grant will also support public outreach measures in order to keep communities in Piscataquis County informed about the proposed work activities, completed assessments, and general public education relative to the assessment findings, including health and economic issues as they arise through the program. The ultimate goal of this grant is to help return otherwise distressed, abandoned, or environmentally stigmatized sites back to viable and sustainable reuse. According to PCEDC Executive Director Thomas Kittredge, “this grant is another powerful economic tool that we are excited to be able to take advantage of. Oftentimes, just the perception of contamination at a particular site is enough to discourage any kind of redevelopment. By conducting these assessments and planning activities, we will be able to accurately ascertain the extent of contamination and costs of cleanup, if any, thereby removing a significant barrier to economic development. We intend to apply in the near future for additional assessment grants, in addition to grants for cleanup and for the establishment a revolving loan fund, as we expand our countywide Brownfields program. The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is a countywide organization whose mission is to stimulate long-term sustainable economic development and growth throughout the region. |
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| Piscataquis County Economic Development Council 50 Mayo Street . Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426 . (207) 564-3638 . toll free 1-800-539-0332 |