Brownfields are “abandoned, idled or underused industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.”  These properties include abandoned factories, former dry cleaners, vacant gas stations, illegal drug labs, old dumps and mine-scarred lands.

Problems caused by unaddressed brownfields include:

1. Potential effects on human health and the environment
2. Loss of greenfields
3. Urban sprawl
4. Urban blight
5. Decreased property values in surrounding neighborhoods
6. Cost of constructing new infrastructure even as existing infrastructure is underutilized. 

The Kentucky Brownfields Program is currently looking for projects for the program. There is no cost for the assessments. For more information regarding brownfields, contact the Division of Compliance Assistance.

The Kentucky Brownfields Program utilizes the Kentucky Voluntary Cleanup Program to assess and implement cleanup standards on brownfields.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers a wealth of resources on its Web sites including information on grant opportunities.

EPA Headquarters (Washington, D.C.)

EPA Region 4 (Atlanta, Ga)