Nearly $8 million dollars is being distributed to Kentucky communities to clean up what are known as “brownfield sites.” These are industrial and commercial properties that are known or suspected to contain contaminants.
Ashland in Eastern Kentucky is receiving a $500-thousand-dollar EPA Community-wide Assessment Grant. During a press conference, Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins said opportunities like this do not come around often.
“This grant will help us clean up brownfield sites we can identify in our community. You know, when you think about opportunities, this is one of those you just can’t get and for us to have this opportunity is huge.”
Perkins says this is a major step going into the future.
“We’re planting seeds of prosperity for our future here today. Our city has been through some tough times, but we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and we appreciate it so much.”
The grant will be used to develop cleanup plans, conduct environmental assessments, inventory sites, and support community outreach activities.
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