The Marshall County Commissioners approved paperwork last week pertaining to a $600,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant.
Marshall County Plan Director Ty Adley discussed the necessary documents with the commissioners last week, specifically a Memorandum of Agreement for a Brownfield Coalition. He said the money is being split among Marshall County, St. Joseph County, Elkhart County, and Kosciusko County and their municipalities.
Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) Executive Director James Turnwald explained that an official coalition will be formed.
Soon, a firm will be chosen to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2 in environmental assessments.
Property owners will be encouraged to get involved. Public meetings will be held in the future to give residents more information about involvement.
“When we’re talking about Brownfields we’re talking about real property that either has the presence of contamination or the potential,” explained Turnwald. “Maybe people thought long ago that an industrial site had contaminated soils or whatnot, but when we go to do testing we find out maybe it doesn’t. We can get that property back on the tax roll quicker.”
If a property owner participates and contamination is found, the past owner could be at fault.
“If you think your property is contaminated at this point in time, we’re going to offer you an opportunity for free to get that assessed.”
The commissioners approved a Memorandum of Agreement along with the three other counties. Commission President Kevin Overmyer was authorized to sign the document.
