DNR has learned that U.S. EPA may require FY20 brownfield grant applications to be submitted earlier than usual this year, so the grant process doesn’t overlap with preparations or participation at the 2019 National Brownfields Training Conference in Los Angeles, CA, December 11–13. There is no official decision yet, but release of the grant proposal guidelines and the subsequent proposal deadline could be moved up several weeks or more.

It is our understanding that the multipurpose grants available in the last round may not be offered this fall. It sounds like multipurpose and revolving loan fund (RLF) grants could alternate rounds and only be available bi-annually. If so, FY20 RLF grants should be available this fall.

On June 5, EPA awarded 151 FY19 grants totaling $64.6 million to local governments and states around the country. EPA guidelines for FY20 assessment and cleanup grant applications are expected to be similar to the FY19 guidelines, which are still available online at https://www.epa.gov/grants/fy19-guidelines-brownfields-assessment-grants and https://www.epa.gov/grants/fy19-guidelines-brownfields-cleanup-grants.

It’s not too early to start working on your FY20 brownfield grant applications to EPA. Use the FY19 guidelines to help organize your planning and data gathering efforts, and then finalize your proposal after the FY20 guidelines are available.

An early start also allows you to get assistance from the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program at Kansas State University. TAB providers are funded by EPA and can help municipalities and nonprofits navigate the EPA grant process.

TAB staff can review your grant proposals prior to submittal and offer suggestions for improvement. The TAB webpage includes additional resources.

More information about other types of Brownfields Grant Funding from EPA is available at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.