Inaugural ‘brownfield’ workshops aim to connect communities to economic development

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, the Center for Creative Land Recycling and the Environmental Protection Agency will host the first Nevada Brownfield Workshops this September.

Workshops are available in Henderson on Sept. 7 and Carson City on Sept. 13.

“The purpose of these workshops is to bring agencies with a brownfields program or those thinking of developing one together to learn about revitalizing and reusing vacant properties,” said Sheryl Gonzales, senior brownfield consultant with CCLR. “Brownfields can be the foundation for affordable housing, new commercial and retail spaces, renewable energy, open space and parks, healthcare and more.”

Brownfields are common in communities across Nevada. Any property where contamination, or the perception of contamination, makes redevelopment more difficult may qualify as a brownfield. This includes places such as closed gas stations and auto repair shops, pesticide and herbicide storage facilities, dry cleaners, burned buildings and mine tailings.

Grant funding is available to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribes, businesses and developers to address contaminated or potentially contaminated sites in order to bring economic development to communities.

“The workshops will connect the dots and provide information on resources, funding and strategies for redevelopment. There is a record amount of funding available within the EPA and other federal and state programs to support reuse that addresses community needs,” said Lisa Hanusiak, EPA brownfields project manager. “We hope community leaders and anyone interested in redevelopment and reuse of vacant properties will come to one of the two Nevada brownfield workshops and leave with the information, contacts and confidence they need to tackle challenging sites.”

The Carson City workshop will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Brewery Arts Center Ballroom.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register online: https://www.cclr.org/events/ee/nevada-brownfields-workshops.

Topics to be presented will include EPA grant programs and resources, Nevada brownfield grantee panel and case studies, funding, challenges and strategies for land reuse and information on renewable energy, environmental justice, community outreach, affordable housing, workforce development and electric vehicle charging stations.

Speakers will vary between workshops and will include personnel from federal, state and local agencies as well as economic development professionals and brownfields experts.

“The workshops are intended for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribes, businesses, developers and other stakeholders to learn how to utilize brownfields funding to build resilient, vibrant spaces in their communities,” event organizers said in a news release.