What are brownfields?

Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by the presence or perceived presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Examples include abandoned gas stations, dry cleaners, landfills, illegal drug labs, and old industrial, mining, or mill sites.

Why are brownfields important?

Idaho has thousands of brownfields. These often-abandoned sites can create safety and health risks for surrounding residents, blight an area, increase unemployment, and are frequently tax delinquent. At the same time, brownfields present a tremendous opportunity for developers, investors, and lenders to develop very profitable projects in prime locations.

What is the Idaho Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund?

The Idaho BRLF makes almost $3,000,000 available to help qualifying borrowers finance the cleanup phase of projects that reuse brownfields properties. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the BRLF is a project of the Reuse Idaho Brownfields Coalition, consisting of Idaho’s six economic development district organizations and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The fund is administered by Sage Community Resources, which is one of the six economic development district organizations.