The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant to continue identifying and addressing environmental concerns at underutilized properties in the Billings area. The funding is part of an $8 million investment across Montana to support redevelopment efforts and revitalize communities.
“We are excited to receive another EPA Brownfield Assessment grant,” said Thom MacLean, BSED Senior Project Manager. “This will allow us to continue our efforts to redevelop potentially contaminated properties throughout the Billings area—assisting property owners with many of the costs and logistics associated with older buildings and former commercial or industrial sites.”
Grant funding will be used to complete environmental assessments on eligible properties in Billings and Yellowstone County. These assessments assist in the redevelopment of underutilized properties by determining the presence and extent of contaminants such as petroleum, asbestos, and lead-based paint at former commercial sites and in older buildings.
BSED has been a long-time partner in the EPA’s Brownfields Program. Since 2014, BSED has received four assessment grants totaling $1.7 million, including this latest award. The previous grant, awarded in 2022, supported assessments at 12 properties across Billings. BSED also manages a $1 million EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to support site cleanup efforts.
For the full Montana release visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-8m-funding-assess-and-clean-communities-across-montana