Keeping TABs on all things brownfield: February 2025
February 7, 2025
This month: An Important Message from our Executive Director, Upcoming Events, Brownfield News, Successes and More
1. A Message from Sean Vroom, NJIT TAB Acting Executive Director
Dear Brownfields Community,
Recent Presidential Executive Orders have created uncertainty around certain types of grant funding. NJIT Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities (NJIT TAB) remains fully operational, continuing to assist all eligible recipients in EPA Regions 2 and 4 with technical guidance, resources, and expertise. While we monitor potential funding impacts, our services remain available at no cost to help advance your brownfield projects.
We would also like to extend our congratulations to Mike Martucci on his appointment as EPA Region 2 Administrator. His leadership and experience in both the public and private sectors will play a vital role in advancing environmental priorities across the region. We look forward to working with him in support of brownfield redevelopment and community revitalization efforts.
We are developing our 2025 events calendar and are delighted to see interest from those looking to build a strong, brownfields foundation before the National Brownfields Conference (August 5-8). If your community or organization is considering a workshop, training, or direct assistance from NJIT TAB, we encourage you to reach out soon to secure your spot.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to working with you to make an impact.
Best regards,
Sean Vroom
Acting Executive Director, NJIT TAB
2. Upcoming Events
- The Great Georgia Gas Station Cleanup | 02.12.25 | 12:00pm EST | Virtual
- TAB Talks: ArcGIS Storymaps - Marketing Opportunities and Celebrating Successes | 02.25.25 | 12:00pm EST | Virtual
- UPDATE: 2025 NJ Brownfield Summit - The Future is Beyond Bright(fields): Climate Mitigation & Green Remediation on Brownfield Sites | POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING 2025
- The 2025 NJ Brownfield Summit, originally scheduled for February 5, 2025, has been postponed, but we are looking to reschedule for this Spring. Stay tuned for updates. As the assessment of recent Executive Orders and their impacts remains ongoing, we have decided to reschedule to ensure this event provides the most up-to-date guidance and resources for New Jersey municipalities and nonprofits.
We are incredibly grateful for the understanding and support of our tremendous partners at the NJ Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, NJ Economic Development Agency, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, NJ Board of Public Utilities, as well as our colleagues at NJIT, who have played an essential role in shaping this event. We look forward to bringing them back for the rescheduled summit and continuing these important discussions. - STAY UPDATED
- The 2025 NJ Brownfield Summit, originally scheduled for February 5, 2025, has been postponed, but we are looking to reschedule for this Spring. Stay tuned for updates. As the assessment of recent Executive Orders and their impacts remains ongoing, we have decided to reschedule to ensure this event provides the most up-to-date guidance and resources for New Jersey municipalities and nonprofits.
3. Recent Brownfield News
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US Representatives Turner (R-OH) and Sherrill (D-NJ) once again reach across the aisle and reintroduce a bill that would give developers a federal tax incentive to remediate sites. Read more here.
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The presence of emerging contaminants (chemicals that we haven’t routinely screened for in the past) is always a hot topic for brownfield practitioners. They can represent risk during property transactions since you may be responsible for cleaning them up. PFAS is a suite of emerging contaminants that have gotten attention in recent years–but how risky are they? According to a benchmark survey, PFAS risks are commonly assessed and in about 30% of impacted cases have led to dead real estate deals. Read more here.
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Historic tax credits can be an element of a well-planned brownfield project funding stack. The change in administration has raised many questions about these incentive programs.Tune in to this webinar to hear expert opinions about what this change can mean for the future of historic preservation. Learn more about the Preservation Leadership Forum Webinar Series held by the the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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It’s a big deal when a town decides to take ownership of a derelict site. In NJ, it’s a process requiring municipal buy-in. Learn about how Rahway, NJ is taking steps to acquire a brownfield site for non-residential development through introduction of a municipal ordinance: Read more here. The town had previously designated this location as an area in need of redevelopment: Read more here.
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Embracing the Main Street America model is one way towns are approaching their downtown revitalization. Check out Sweet HomeTown Tours, a trail of downtowns showcasing their unique assets such as historic preservation efforts, public art, and green spaces throughout Alabama: Read more here.
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Update regarding proposed legislation on NJEDA’s Aspire Program, a tax credit that can be a component of a brownfield project funding stack: Read more here.
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Perspectives on challenges and opportunities for solar development on brownfields from a solar developer: Read more here.
4. Celebrating Successes
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Since January 2022, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) has remediated 165 acres of polluted land, and has crossed a landmark achievement of completing more than 1,000 Cleanups! Find out more here.
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View this ArcGIS Storymap highlighting the town of Mt. Holly, NC’s brownfield success stories and lessons learned.
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Congratulations to the 13 newly approved NJ Brownfield Development Area (BDA) applicants! The new BDAs will be formally designated when the voluntary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is executed by NJDEP, the municipality, and the steering committee. The NJIT TAB team stands as a resource for you all. Read more here.
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Poughkeepsie secures a grant to assess a former dump as part of NY Department of State’s Brownfield Opportunity Area program: Read more here.
5. Opportunities
Funding Alert: FEMA Grants for Flood Mitigation & Resilient Infrastructure
FEMA is offering $1.3 billion in hazard mitigation funding through the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant. These programs help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments reduce disaster risks, strengthen infrastructure, and build climate resilience—especially in underserved communities.
- FMA Grant: Supports flood risk reduction projects like stormwater upgrades, flood mitigation plans, and nature-based solutions.
- BRIC Grant: Funds projects that enhance public infrastructure, strengthen building codes, and increase climate resilience.
Brownfields can be part of the solution! Reclaimed sites, like Hoboken NJ’s Northwest Resiliency Park, have been transformed into flood mitigation assets. Explore FEMA's Mitigation Action Portfolio and NJIT TAB's The Path of Most Resilience.
Applications for both grants are due April 18th, 2025. Learn more here. NJ municipalities: Contact Carrie Martin, AICP, Environmental Sustainability Planner for free assistance.
Request For Proposal: New York
Orange County Industrial Development Agency is requesting proposals for Brownfield Assessment Services in Orange County, NY by no later than 2PM ET, February 28, 2025. Deadline for questions is Friday, February 7, 2025 with final responses to questions posted on Friday, February 28, 2025. Notice of award will take place on Friday, March 14, 2025.
View the full RFP here.
Request For Proposal: Tennessee
The City of Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is requesting proposals/interest for six (6) different development projects in various parts of the Memphis and Shelby County area.
The request for interest forms and subsequent proposals for the over 80 vacant lots located in the Uptown Redevelopment Area and Binghampton Redevelopment Area will be accepted on a rolling basis. The CRA will begin reviewing proposals in early spring and construction will begin on new homes by summer 2025.
The request for proposal deadline for the 1126 Thomas Street and the 588 Chelsea projects is no later than 5PM CT on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The proposals for the 989 Looney Ave. project are due no later than 5PM CT on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The proposals for the Porter Leath Campus project are due no later than 5PM CT on Friday, April 4, 2025.