Idaho Falls, ID – The City of Idaho Falls received confirmation today from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the city has been selected to receive a $600,000 Brownfield Grant designed to help communities and states clean and revitalize brownfield sites.

“[The] EPA’s Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure" said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in a press release today from the EPA. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment.”

The city will use the money for a variety of purposes including environmental assessments, land use planning, market analysis for future uses on impacted properties and to help encourage redevelopment and reinvestment in the areas identified within the grant. 

We are particularly interested in revitalizing our downtown and central portions of our city,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. “This Brownfields funding will greatly help revitalize these areas, encourage reinvestment, and help bring new life to places like Northgate Mile and the south downtown area.  “

According to the EPA, “Brownfields are defined as those properties whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfields sites include all "real property," including residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Media Note: For more information or to schedule an interview with city staff, contact Public Information Officer, Bud Cranor.