A total of $3 million in state grant dollars still sits waiting to be used by private, nonmunicipal brownfields developers;
since the program was converted from a loans-only initiative in 2001, not a single developer has applied for any portion of
the money, according to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano.
Created via an amendment to the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, Section 58-15b, the Brownfields Site Restoration
Program offers private developers a chance to apply directly to the state for up to $750,000 per site in state grant money,
without having to go through the municipality in which the site is located.
In Illinois' budget deficit environment, the information that this money is still available statewide comes as good news to
developers across Southwestern Illinois. But the fact that the grant program has had no takers in nearly three years, several
area developers say, is because they knew nothing about it.
"It's great to know there is a state grant program available to the private sector," said Karl Ruhmann, director of
environmental services for SCI Engineering Inc. "When it comes to a deal happening, time is crucial. The fact that the state
of Illinois is offering developers the opportunity to apply directly to the state for funding, rather than needing
to allow extra time to apply through the municipality, is welcome news. I had no idea such a program existed."
Matt Robinson, senior vice president for Environmental Operations Inc., is aware of the state grant program because he
helped create it, supporting legislation
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