City of Hernando Brownfields Program 

The City of Hernando’s Brownfields Program started in 2012 when it received its first $400,000 brownfield assessment grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2016 the city received its second brownfields assessment grant and continues to manage programs aimed at identifying, assessing and remediating brownfield sites throughout the city.

The grant is currently active and funds are available to assist property owners who want to investigate environmental conditions on qualifying sites in the city which are being considered for redevelopment. The City of Hernando’s Brownfields Redevelopment Program has been a tremendously effective partnership of government, industry, and community working together to cleanup Hernando’s idle properties, create jobs, encourage economic growth, and benefit the community.

Brownfields Assessment Program

The goal of the City's Brownfields Assessment Program is to help property owners minimize the uncertainties of contamination often associated with brownfields. Funds are intended to kick-start a redevelopment process that ultimately results in new development with the goals of stabilizing neighborhoods, adding jobs and homes, and increasing the City's tax base.

Program Objectives
  • Assist developers/property owners with due diligence measures and estimates of liabilities
  • Engage community members regarding economic development priorities
  • Improve the quality of life for residents
  • Increase local job opportunities and tax revenue
  • Restore existing neighborhoods and commercial corridors
  • Return blighted and contaminated properties to productive use
  • Stimulate and promote economic development

 

What are Brownfields?

 Brownfields are abandoned or underutilized properties that have real or perceived environmental contamination which has complicated or hindered redevelopment and revitalization. Brownfields are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Examples of brownfields include properties that were:
  • Service stations
  • Auto repair shops
  • Dry cleaning facilities
  • Industrial facilities
  • Landfills
  • Warehouses

What are the benefits of Brownfields redevelopment?

 The redevelopment of Brownfields benefits the communities in which they are located in many ways. By removing blight and facilitating environmental cleanup, redeveloping Brownfields address environmental, public health, and safety concerns. Redeveloping previously developed sites and reusing existing infrastructure, utilities, and roads allows open space and undeveloped land to be preserved. In addition, it boosts the local economy by increasing city tax revenues and creating jobs and also improves the value of adjacent property.

What assistance is available from the Brownfields Redevelopment Program?

 The City of Hernando’s Brownfields Redevelopment Program was awarded a Community-Wide Brownfields Assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2012 and 2016. This grant funding allows the City of Hernando to assist with redevelopment projects by conducting environmental site assessments. In addition, the City of Hernando may be able to assist with strategic planning for cleanup and redevelopment of Brownfields sites and provide technical assistance in applying for brownfields funding from other agencies. To apply for assistance, please contact Gia Matheny, Community Development Director at 662-429-9092.

 

 

“For every acre of reused brownfields an estimated 4.5 acres of unused green space is preserved.”

- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency