The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (APA) is awarding $400,00 in brownfields grants to help Fall River to assess, clean up and redevelop abandoned or contaminated properties. The Funding is part of more than $69.3 million in EPA Brownfields investments across the country to protect health and the environment, create jobs and promote economic re-development in American communities. The grant money can assist work to reclaim sites including old textile mills, sites containing hazardous substances and petroleum products, and other abandoned properties. Fall River's award was one of 33 separate grants to Massachusetts communities. "Cleaning and revitalizing contaminated sites helps create jobs . . .while making our environment cleaner and the community healthier," commented EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. A brief press announcement was made on August 17, 2012 next to the former Fall River Police Station, a contaminated site that the City has been trying to dispose of. Click here for a ten-minute video of the announcement. Click here for the Herald News article. For more information, contact Municipal Buildings Manager Al Oliveira at 508-324-2226.

(Top row) Municipal Buildings Manager Al Oliveira, left, checks the EPA seal on the front of the podium while before the speakers begin. (Top row, center) Millie Garcia Serrano, Environmental Affairs Undersecretary Philip Griffiths and Teresa Patten of Mass. Development talk with Representative Paul Schmid. (Top row, right) Rep. Schmid makes a point with Jim Byrne and Kerry Bowie of the Mass. Brownfields program. (Middle row) Undersecretary Griffiths, Meghan Leahy of Senator Kerry's office, Rep. Schmid, Mayor Flanagan and EPA New England Administrator Curtis Spaulding. (Bottom row, left) Herald News reporter Mike Holtzman interviews Mr. Olliveira while City Grantwriter Jane Dibiasio listens. (Bottom row, center) Ms. Leahy listens as Gerard Martin talks with Mr. Bowie. (Bottom row, right) City Councilor Dave Dennis talks with EPA official Doug Gutro.