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City of Monroe to use EPA grant to cleanup Ouachita Candy Company property

The City of Monroe, Louisiana has received a significant boost in its efforts to clean up contaminated sites. Mayor Friday Ellis recently announced that the city has been awarded $872,900 by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program. This grant was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year.

The IIJA, which was enacted on November 15, 2021, provides $1.2 trillion in funding for infrastructure projects across the country. A portion of this funding has been allocated to the EPA's Brownfields program, which helps communities clean up and redevelop contaminated properties.

The City of Monroe's grant will be used to remove environmental contaminants from the Ouachita Candy Company property. This site has long been a barrier to reuse and redevelopment due to its history of various industrial uses, including a candy company, a soft drink bottling company, and an automotive repair facility with vehicle washing and greasing operations. The grant funds will be used to prepare cleanup plans, conduct community engagement, and clean up the property.

The EPA's Brownfields program is an important tool for communities seeking to revitalize contaminated sites. Through this program, communities can receive funding for site assessments, cleanup activities, and technical assistance. The program also promotes community involvement in the cleanup process, ensuring that local stakeholders have a voice in the future use of these sites.

The City of Monroe's grant is part of a larger effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to support communities across the country in their efforts to clean up and redevelop contaminated properties. In May 2023, the Administration announced $215 million in Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant funding. This funding will support a total of 262 communities across the United States.

The City of Monroe is just one of five recipients in Louisiana to receive Brownfields Cleanup Grant funding through the IIJA. This funding will help the city make significant progress in its efforts to clean up contaminated properties and promote economic development. As Mayor Ellis noted in his announcement, "This grant will help us turn a blighted property into a community asset, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for our residents."