SCDA teams up with the county and Toccoa for EPA grants

Stephens County and the city of Toccoa have adopted resolutions partnering with the Stephens County Development Authority to pursue Coalition Brownfield Assessment grants for fiscal year 2019.

Through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields program, the Development Authority is hoping to receive funding for the cleanup and assessment of brownfield sites in Toccoa-Stephens County.

The EPA’s Brownfield Program collaborates with other EPA programs, other federal partners, and state agencies to identify and make available resources that can be used for Brownfields activities.

Tim Martin is the executive director of Stephens County Development Authority.

He says that by forming a coalition between the county, city, and development authority they will now be eligible for larger grants.

If the development authority sought out assessment grants as a single entity, it would only be eligible for grants up to $300,000; whereas, by partnering with two additional entities the coalition would therefore be eligible for up to $600,000 in grant monies.

Martin adds that the next step is enlisting the help of a consulting firm who will assist in preparing the grant application.

Today the development authority will submit a Request for Qualifications (RFQ); which looks for consulting firms to submit their qualifications and a history of receiving Brownfield grants.

Martin says the RFQ will close Oct. 12, and the coalition will then select a firm.

Brownfields include abandoned and/or underutilized textile mills, gas stations, dry cleaners, factories, warehouses, and other sites representing types of blighted areas that negatively impact communities.

The selected consulting firm will guide the development authority through selecting a site that is most advantageous to receive grant monies.

WNEG News will continue to provide coverage on this developing story.