EPA Announces $500,000 for Brownfields Grant to Finance Cleanup Activities in Connecticut
BOSTON (June 24, 2026) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to Capitol Region Council of Governments, a high-performing Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantee in Connecticut. With these funds, EPA is investing directly in American communities to cleanup and redevelop blighted properties, delivering on the Trump Administration's commitment to ensure that clean air, land, and water goes hand-in-hand with economic growth and opportunity.
"EPA is focused on delivering practical results that transform contaminated properties into clean, valuable spaces that spark economic growth and that directly benefit American families," said Acting Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management Thomas Croci. "Addressing environmental contamination and reusing brownfield properties revitalizes neighborhoods, drives local job creation, and unleashes new economic opportunities. EPA is proud to partner with local communities to ensure they have the cleanest air, land, and water as we power the Great American Comeback."
"Across New England, EPA is helping to transform blighted properties into productive spaces that protect human health and support economic growth and opportunity," said EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "This funding will help communities assess and clean up contaminated sites, so they can be safely redeveloped for housing, businesses, recreation, and other community priorities."
Clean air, land, and water for all Americans is the first pillar of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. These grants put that commitment into action while simultaneously powering economic growth in communities across the country.
Capitol Region Council of Governments has been selected to receive $500,000 in supplemental funding for their Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund program. This is in addition to the $3,200,000 in EPA funds already awarded. Projects highlighted for use of the funding include the Earl M. Witt School in Stafford, the Collinsville Axe Factory in Canton, and the former Porter & Chester Institute Trade School in Enfield.
Grant recipients with viable cleanup projects ready for work will help communities continue their work to carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects on contaminated brownfield properties.
View the full list of selected applicants here.
Background
EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and, once these grants are awarded, will have provided over $3 billion in grant funding to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfields investments leveraged more than $45 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 228,900 jobs. Through fiscal year 2025, on average, $19.47 was leveraged for each EPA Brownfields Grant dollar awarded through multipurpose, assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup cooperative agreements.
After selection, awards will be made once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied by selected applicants.