Bessemer City, NC — The City of Bessemer City proudly announces that it has been selected to receive a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support revitalization efforts of underutilized and potentially contaminated properties within the community.
The EPA’s Brownfields Program empowers local governments and stakeholders to inventory, assess, and plan for the adaptive reuse of brownfield sites — properties where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
Under the terms of this award, the City will:
• Develop a comprehensive inventory and prioritization of brownfield sites in the City’s Center City Corridor;
• Conduct 20 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and 10 Phase II Environmental Site Assessments;
• Prepare four cleanup plans to guide future remediation and redevelopment;
• Support community engagement and reuse planning activities that help inform residents, partners, and potential investors.
“This federal investment from the EPA is a significant catalyst for Bessemer City’s revitalization strategy,” said Mayor Smith. “It positions us to transform legacy sites into opportunities for economic growth, job creation, improved public health, and community pride.”
Priority areas for assessment include previously vacant and historically industrial parcels such as former mill sites, oil company warehousing properties, and other locations that have remained dormant due to environmental concerns. By systematically assessing and planning for cleanup, the City aims to unlock these properties for productive reuse that benefits local residents, businesses, and future investors.
Brownfields revitalization aligns with Bessemer City’s broader goals of enhancing downtown vibrancy, supporting local infrastructure improvements, and fostering an environment where families and businesses can thrive together.
About the EPA Brownfields Program
The EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities nationwide to assess, clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields properties. These efforts reduce environmental and health risks, stimulate economic development, and help communities reclaim underused land.
View the community site suggestion form, property owners site application, and Steering Committee application form at our website: https://bessemercity.com/brownfieldsgrant/.
The kick-off community meeting for this project will take place on Tuesday, February 17th at 5:30 PM at the Allan Farris Community Center (220 S 14th St, Bessemer City, NC 28016). Join Bessemer City, project partners, and neighbors as we identify, develop, and evaluate potential brownfields sites for redevelopment into sources of job opportunities and other community resources.
Contact Jamie Watkins, City Planner/Stormwater Administrator, at 704-729-6510 or jwatkins@bessemercity.com with questions.