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Contaminated Lands Environmental Action Network (CLEAN)

Brownfields Conferences and Workshops

2009 Brownfields & the Recovery Act Workshop

In February 2009, President Barack Obama signed the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The ARRA designates spending in more than 130 different state and federal programs. The majority of the funds will flow through existing state programs and through existing formulas.

In addition to Recovery Act funding for Superfund and leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites, $100 million was also set aside for the cleanup of contaminated properties -- brownfields. In May 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded approximately $37 million in Recovery Act funds to applicants who applied for funding in November, 2008. Through the RR Program, the DNR received a $2 million in Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant from EPA with Recovery Act funding for the cleanup of hazardous substance contamination. The $2 million will be awarded as loans and grant through the Ready For Reuse Loan & Grant Program.

On June 16, 2009 the RR Program held a "Brownfields & the Recovery Act" workshop. Topics for this workshop included eligibility requirements, step-by-step guide to application, unique reporting requirements for Recovery Act funds and Q&A on site-specific concerns. More than 130 people attended at DNR offices and on-line via Microsoft Live Meeting.

The RR staff contacts for the Recovery Act Ready for Reuse Program: Jessica Milz (608.267.6743) or Melissa Enoch (608.266.9263).

For more information about Wisconsin's existing RLF program, visit the Ready for Reuse Loan and Grant Program page. Also visit our RR Program and the Recovery Act page.

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2006 Dollars & Sense Conference

September 20: Show Me The Brownfields Money!

This free half-day training informed local governments, developers, tribes and property owners how to access over $80 million a year of brownfields grant and loan funds. Experts helped participants strategize on which funds are best for their projects and how to successfully compete for them. Information was provided about how local governments and private developers partner to maximize the funds to capitalize projects and successful application examples were given.

September 21: An Insider’s Guide for Government Officials on Brownfields Real Estate Development

This free one-day training for local government officials brought in national experts who shared insider tips on transforming blighted properties into new, vital redevelopments in their communities. Participants learned how developers assess the value of a brownfields project, as well as how they control risks, develop teams, obtain government approvals and finance projects. This session was sponsored by the WDNR and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

If you would like a set of discs with a recording of this conference (at no cost), please send your request and your mailing address to Laurie Egre.

2005 Green Makeover Conference

The proceedings from the Green Makeover: Retrofitting Sites in Urban Areas to Enrich City Environments conference have been assembled and posted on the Internet.

At this conference, which was held in Milwaukee in October 2005, more than 160 people representing a diverse array of interests participated in two days of dynamic presentations, inspiring discussions, active planning charettes, and a Green Ribbon Awards celebration. The proceedings document the presentations, charettes, and awards.

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2005 Wisconsin Waterfront Revitalization Conference

The Great Lakes Commission and the Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, Commerce and Administration hosted a Wisconsin Waterfront Revitalization Conference on April 13, 2005 in Sheboygan. This conference, at the Blue Harbor Resorts (a former brownfield) focused on Wisconsin success stories. Mayors, city redevelopment staff and others described the tools they are using to convert their waterfront brownfield sites into new development. The conference included panel discussions and exhibits from government, non-profit and commercial organizations with experience in waterfront revitalization.

Please visit the conference web site [exit DNR]

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2003 UW-Madison Law Conference on Brownfields

PowerPoint Presentations

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2002 No Small Change Videoconference

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a free videoconference on 7 state and federal brownfield grant programs worth $160 million on Wednesday, August 21, 2002.

If you were unable to attend the training, but would like a packet of information that was available that day, please call or email Andrew Savagian (608.261.6422).

Also, if you are interested in these programs and have specific projects you'd like to discuss with brownfields staff, you can set up a Green Team meeting with DNR and Commerce. To do so, please call or email Laurie Egre (608.267.7560).

Conference Agenda [PDF 7KB]

Conference PowerPoint Presentations

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2000 State Brownfields Workshops

In May 2000, Wisconsin state agencies held brownfields workshops entitled Wisconsin Brownfields – Future Solutions Now. The one-day public conferences workshop were held in four centralized locations for those individuals interested in brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, including local government officials, lenders, developers and consultants.

The workshops focused on existing brownfields programs, highlighted new provisions from the 1999-2001 state biennial budget, and provide panel discussions on successful brownfields projects.

The workshops were held in Milwaukee (May 10), Appleton (May 11), Eau Claire (May 18), and Madison (May 24). BROCHURE for the workshops

Conference PowerPoint Presentations

Additional Conferences Materials

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1998 Conferences

State agencies held the first spring brownfields workshops in April, 1998. More than 600 individuals attended the meetings. For more information, contact Andrew Savagian (608.261.6422).

Last Revised: Wednesday June 17 2009