Once environmental contamination on a property has been properly characterized and the extent and magnitude of the contamination are understood, a property is ready for cleanup. However, this step is often complicated by the lack of financing available to property owners wishing to cleanup a contaminated site. This is where SICOG can help.

SICOG offers low-to-no-interest loans and subgrants to landowners or developers who may not be able to secure financing through traditional means because of financial or environmental barriers. We do this by:

• Providing loans with interest rates of 0%-3% as well as no-cost subgrants
• Offering flexible maturities ranging from 5-10 years
• Contracting with a Qualified Environmental Professional to oversee the cleanup process and to ensure cleanup is completed in accordance with state and federal requirements
• Working with landowners on a case-by-case basis to negotiate terms favorable to both parties

Many landowners are eligible for the Brownfields Cleanup Program. Non-profit and local governments are potentially eligible for both subgrant funds and loans while private landowners are potentially eligible for low-cost loan options.

Participation requirements for the Brownfields Cleanup Program include:

• Property must be located within SICOG’s seven-county region
• EPA must deem the property eligible for the program
• Property must have documented and previously investigated environmental contamination
• Landowner must be an eligible recipient who meets SICOG’s borrower qualifications
• Landowner must contribute a 20% cost-share which can be in the form of cash or as an in-kind contribution to the project

These loan and subgrant funds can be used for several activities to address environmental contamination on a property, including:

• Cleanup and reuse planning
• Excavation, consolidation, or removal of contaminated soils
• Removal of drums, barrels, tanks, or other containers that contain hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants
• Abatement of asbestos and lead-based paint
• Containment, treatment, disposal, or incineration of hazardous materials
• Stabilization of dikes, berms, or impoundments or drainage of lagoons
• Costs for public participation, worker health and safety, and interagency coordination
• Fences, warning signs, or other security or site control precautions