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Century Receives $400,000 EPA Environmental Grant
May 23, 2016
The Town of Century has received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup (ARC) grant for new investments are designed to provide communities with funding necessary to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, promote economic redevelopment and create jobs while protecting human health.
EPA’s Brownfields Program strives to expand the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses. The investment in Century will provide the funding necessary to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment. Brownfields ARC grants provide resources early on, which is critical for the success of communities’ abilities to leverage additional partnerships and resources. Partnerships between neighborhoods, local developers and governments are essential for impacted communities to acquire the resources needed to meet their revitalization goals.
“This project will actually in partnership with Flomaton,” Town of Century planner Debbie Nickles said. “The money will be used in both towns to test and clean up properties that might be contaminated, such as abandoned gas stations or where there are still old fuel tanks in the ground.”
One of half of of the $400,000 will be used to target potentially contaminated petroleum properties in Flomaton and Century, Nickles said. The other $200,000 will be used to target other types of hazardous waste contamination.
A specific list of properties to be targeted with the grant money has not yet been established.
Comments
9 Responses to “Century Receives $400,000 EPA Environmental Grant”
How many gas stations are still open in Century? Three? How many of the 10,200 vehicles will actually stop in Century specifically for an oil change, as opposed to floorboarding it towards Pensacola? You have Quick Lube in Brewton, and Jerry’s in Atmore, with established clientele. Anything is possible. Some things are just not realistic, in my opinion.
@chris
Another express service is not nearby. I believe the fact that 10200 average daily traffic goes by may be significant on decisions in what may work. There are numerous gas stations.Just an idea. I have read it costs about 100k to clean up a site. Perhaps the owners, if they are still alive, could approach them and find the level necessary to bring it to EPA codes to sell rather than to be vacant and hit with fines on top of everything. With the CRA formed, if it really intend to function, changes could be forced if people continue to be irresponsible. This may be an opportunity. Good Luck
If you cannot keep a gas station itself alive (intersection of 29 & 4) how can you expect Jiffy Lube to locate there?
I do like what “Suggestion” said. Sites such as former gas stations and others where there are still old fuel tanks in the ground may be good places for such businesses as Grease Pro or Jiffy Lube. Perhaps the town council could contact such organizations and encourage them to set up shop here. That may provide a few job opportunities and another service to this area. I’m sure there are other types of businesses that could also operate on these sites. Cleaning up and redeveloping these sites, AND reaching out to and pulling in some new businesses into Century would certainly be worthwhile.
Who owns the old gas stations? Are not property owners responsible for their own property? One can look at Escambia County Property website and find the owner. At what point does the local government and federal government step in? Code enforcement is so apparently needed in Century. Will this grant money benefit an individual or city owned property?
It is great that Century and Flomaton have received this grant money from the EPA. Kudos to those involved in making this happen! It is a start but likely not enough money to do all that it is intended to do. It costs a LOT to clean, let alone redevelop, contaminated petroleum properties such as former gas stations. That’s not even counting the other types of hazardous waste contamination. I hope the money will be used wisely and that more will be forthcoming.
This is as seed money for Century! CITIZEN @ 11:26 am says all that needs to be said, with the exception of this…spend the funds to improve the town and the image it projects…poverty,100% to making Century a better place for all to live!!!
I have read a quick oil drive through chain like a Grease Pro or Jiffy Lube can go in on lands that were previous gas stations. Contact them or similar business…it may do well, especially if it can service large tractor trailers also. Perhaps a tire place could go in these previously contaminated sites.
Please spend it wisely and effectively and ensure some company is not standing there with their hand out and cheesy smile to bamboozle the town out of the funds. Hope this makes a difference and is not wasted. Please be smart about it. I am sure you have learned from the lessons of the past and know the best way to deal with a problem is SOLVE it not bury and baffle behind documentation and paperwork and politics. Hope to see GOOD positive changes!!