Brownfield contamination can be a serious problem, bothenvironmentally and economically. Because brownfields are idle orabandoned industrial properties with real or perceivedcontamination, expansion and redevelopment by local industry israre.

With Michigan's numerous automotive supply plants and chemicalindustries, there are many old contaminated parcels to clean. Byproviding grants to these communities, the EPA is helping to fundthe redevelopment of the land, said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin,D-Michigan. "Redeveloping brownfields can be engines for greateconomic development," said Levin, co-chair of the Senate SmartGrowth Task Force. "They represent new opportunities in our cities,older suburbs and rural areas for housing, jobs andrecreation."

The city of Allegan will receive $250,000 to fund the cleanup ofnumerous hazardous substances from brownfields in its downtownarea.