Like many Midwest communities, Elkhart is faced with land and groundwater contamination issues that are the remnants of a historic and prosperous industrial past. In recent years, contamination issues have hampered real-estate property transactions, causing the underutilization of properties and increasing the blight and disinvestment in Elkhart neighborhoods.
During an inventory that was conducted in 2008, it was estimated that Elkhart contains close to 100 brownfield sites.
The State of Indiana defines a brownfield site as a parcel of real estate that is abandoned or inactive or may not be operated at its appropriate use and on which expansion or redevelopment is complicated because of the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, a contaminant, petroleum, or a petroleum product that poses a risk to human health or the environment. Examples of brownfields include:
Former industrial sites
Inactive or underutilized gasoline stations
Properties containing underground storage tanks
Old railroad properties
Brownfields Program Redevelopment Projectives and Incentives are described below. Websites can be accessed via "Links."
2007 EPA Petroleum Assessment Grant - Funds are available to local developers to perform Phase I and Phase II Environmental Studies on properties where petroleum products have been used.
State of Indiana Brownfields Program - The State of Indiana offers several brownfield grants to assess and remediate brownfield sites. The State also offers a low-interest loan that can be utilized to perform environmental and redevelopment activities on brownfields. The City of Elkhart, as a municipal government, is eligible for these funds and can partner with motivated developers to access these funds.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - The EPA has several brownfield redevelopment incentives, including $200,000 grants for assessment and remediation of brownfields. The City of Elkhart, as a municipal government, is eligible for these funds and can partner with motivated developers to access these funds.
