The city will assess seven downtown brownfield sites, including one prominent 20-acre site located near a low-income, African American neighborhood. The funds will not only be used to assess the site as a barrier to economic growth, but also to determine potential public health hazards and to develop community outreach programs to mitigate problems the brownfields might be causing.

            "This federal investment will provide a real opportunity for downtown Florence to begin the arduous task of revitalizing these contaminated sites that are located primarily in African American communities," said Congressman Clyburn, a leading Congressional advocate for environmental justice.  "This effort will not only improve economic opportunities for these communities, but also contribute to improved public health."

A brownfield site is any property that is abandoned or under-utilized because of complications posed by the potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.  The EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants and job training grants.

Congressman Clyburn actively supported the City of Florence's grant application.  Throughout his Congressional career, he has focused on bringing national attention to the issue of environmental justice.  During his tenure as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, providing environmental justice to minority communities, who are disproportionately affected by brownfields, was one of Congressman Clyburn's top three priorities. 

He has also established the National Environmental Policy Commission that is holding a series of Listening Sessions around the country to develop forward-thinking, comprehensive environmental policy that recognizes and fosters the unique relationship between environmental protection, human health, environmental justice and economic development.  The NEPC will issue its report in September at this year's Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. 

"Assessing the environmental concerns -- like Florence will now do -- is the first step to improving the quality of life and providing new economic opportunities to communities that have been adversely impacted by contamination," Congressman Clyburn concluded.  "I look forward to the assessment's findings and the promising future that will accompany any clean-up efforts that follow." 

Florence is one of 214 communities nationwide to share $73.1 million grant in this final stage of EPA's brownfield grant program. 

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