In December 2014, Mecosta County signed contract documents with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for $400,000 in Brownfield Assessment Grants: $200,000 for sites believed to be contaminated with non-petroleum based hazardous substances and $200,000 for sites believed to be contaminated with petroleum. These grants assisted in the characterization and environmental assessment of properties throughout Mecosta County. The grant represented the second time that Mecosta County has been selected to administer the program. Grant funded projects impacted 33 different sites and returned close to $20 million of inactive property back to useful purposes. The program exhausted these funds as of October 31, 2016 and is currently pursuing new opportunities for the Brownfield Authority.
Redevelopment and reuse of urbanized areas is an essential component to maintain a vibrant economic foundation in manufacturing and commercial activity while preserving the agricultural heritage of the county. These grants also provided the necessary funding to make significant progress toward prioritizing the eventual development of targeted properties.
The assessment grants enabled Mecosta County to prepare an inventory of sites suspected to be contaminated with either hazardous substances or petroleum. In addition, the grants will allowed for the completion of Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessments, Baseline Environmental Assessments, Cleanup Plans (to include but not be limited to Remedial Action and Due Care Plans), and Brownfield Redevelopment Plans on the highest priority sites, or for sites that have an immediate potential for development.
The site inventory will determine the need for additional resources. If a site is determined to be a Facility, local, state and federal Brownfield incentives can be utilized to redevelop the site. Once the site inventory has been completed and targeted properties have been assessed, the county will market the sites for development, and may apply for cleanup funds through the State of Michigan’s Revolving Loan Fund or other sources, as well as assist in packaging incentives for developers.
Those wishing more information on the Mecosta County Brownfield Redevelopment program are encouraged to contact the Mecosta County Development Corporation at 231-592-3403, or by email at jsandy@mecostacounty.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The current grant cycle expired at the end of October 2016.
To date, Mecosta County has utilized its brownfield assessment grants to leverage over $1,000,000 in private investment, resulting in the retention/creation of nearly 90 jobs in the community. Several local businesses have relied on the grant program to assist in obtaining financing for property acquisitions or improvements. Many of these loans have originated from the U.S. Small Businesses Administration (SBA), which has very stringent environmental assessment requirements in order to secure funding. For example, a local dealership was able to purchase inventory and retain local jobs by utilizing grant funds to qualify for SBA funding. The grant program has enabled developers to acquire brownfields and evaluate the challenges of site redevelopment. An environmental evaluation of the former Striketown Bowling Center in Big Rapids Township allowed a developer to renovate the building to house the local Michigan Works! offices. A local community bank was able to expand their services to customers by relying on the grant program to assist with the acquisition and redevelopment of an abandoned drive-through restaurant. Mecosta County has also used its grant funds to evaluate the unknown environmental conditions of several vacant properties, thereby making the sites more marketable. The County’s grant program continues to fuel the momentum of local economic development by acting as a catalyst in the creation of new businesses that support the community. Projects completed to date under the grant program are listed below.
Address |
Grant Type |
PPN |
Project Name |
Scope of Work |
Acreage |
195 Rose Avenue, Barryton |
Hazardous Substances |
54-04-891-050-000 |
Former Scrap Tire Facility |
Phase II ESA and Due Care Plan |
11 |
14372 Northland Drive, Big Rapids Township |
Hazardous Substances |
54-05-023-016-000 |
Former Striketown Bowling Center |
Phase I & II ESA, Asbestos and Lead-Bearing Paint Assessment, and BEA |
3 |
226 Perry Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances |
54-17-15-435-006 |
Former Checkers Restaurant |
Phase I ESA |
0.6 |
400 & 414 North State Street, Big Rapids |
Petroleum |
54-17-11-309-009, |
Former Sinclair Oil |
Phase I ESA |
0.4 |
101 Maple Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances |
54-17-11-359-003 |
Former Trimarco Auto |
Phase I ESA |
1 |
19168 4th Street, Chippewa Lake |
Hazardous Substances |
54-03-892-002-900 |
Former Farm Repair Shop |
Phase I ESA |
1 |
502 North State Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances |
54-17-11-303-002 |
Former Pioneer Press |
Phase I ESA |
0.6 |
906 North State Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances |
54-17-11-120-001 |
Hanchett Manufacturing |
Phase I ESA |
5 |
18387 Northland Drive, Green Township |
Petroleum |
54-01-033-030-500 |
Marco Dealership |
Phase I & II ESA |
11.5 |
100 North Cass Street, Morley |
Hazardous Substances |
54-13-891-063-000 |
Former Kitson Manufacturing |
Phase I ESA |
0.5 |
1204 North State Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances/ Petroleum |
54-17-03-460-010 |
Former Larsen Muffler |
Phase I & II ESA and BEA |
1 |
14 & 36 Northland Drive, Stanwood |
Hazardous Substances/ Petroleum |
54-09-891-049-000, 54-09-891-049-500, 54-09-891-050-000, 54-09-891-051-500 |
Former Buffalo Inn and Market |
Phase I & II ESA and BEA |
1 |
230 Baldwin Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances |
54-17-11-153-005 |
Former River Rock Restaurant |
Phase I & II ESA and BEA |
0.6 |
169 West Wheatland Avenue, Remus |
Petroleum |
54-12-087-010-000 |
Former Remus Plaza |
Phase I ESA |
0.7 |
213 South State Street, Big Rapids |
Hazardous Substances |
54-17-14-105-007, |
Crankers Coney Island |
Phase I & II ESA |
0.8 |
A map showing the locations of these sites can be accessed here.
Members of the Brownfield Authority Board are listed below. Board members are appointed by the County Board of Commissioners for three year terms that can be renewed at the discretion of the County Board. In addition, the County Administrator and the Executive Director of the Mecosta County Development Corporation serve as resource and support staff to the Authority Board. The Brownfield Authority has been empowered by the County Board of Commissioners to oversee the implementation of the county's Brownfield Redevelopment Program and to make recommendations concerning the use of environmental grant funds.
John Currie, Chair 13765 14 Mile Road Rodney, MI 49342 |
Dave Hamelund, Vice Chair 17256 Taft Ave. Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
Thomas Crandell 23104 13 Mile Road Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
Paul Bullock 400 Elm St. Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
Mindy Taylor 400 Elm St. Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
|
Jerrilynn Strong
400 Elm St.
Big Rapids, MI 49307 |
Support Staff:
James M. Sandy, Recording Secretary
14330 Northland Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Mecosta County Development Corporation powered by The Right Place
14330 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
Phone: 231-923-8884
Email: wawsczykk@rightplace.org
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