© 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Mid-Michigan to use $500K EPA grant for brownfield assessments

karl_dorshimer_and_keith_lambert.jpg
Scott Pohl/WKAR
/

Officials say there are some 2,800 vacant, under-utilized and contaminated brownfield sites in Mid-Michigan. Some are the legacy of a wave of automotive plant and parts supplier closures spanning three decades. Others are former gas stations, garages and dry cleaning shops that contain an array of environmental pollutants. These idle sites are a threat to public health and a barrier to economic development. Now, a new federal grant will be put towards remediation.The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $500,000 to the Lansing Regional Brownfields Coalition to clean up more than a dozen sites.

Current State talks about the project with one of two project managers for this grant, Keith Lambert of LEAP, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, and Karl Dorshimer, the director of business development with LEAP.

Kevin Lavery is a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things considered.
Related Content
Support local journalism by becoming a new WKAR donor and get ad-free feeds of your favorite NPR podcasts with NPR+ when you donate $8/month or more! Make your contribution today to fund more vetted news reports throughout mid-Michigan!