Brownfield Area Wide Revitalization Planning Grant Program

The Brownfield Area Wide Revitalization Planning Grant Program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development through its Office of Community Development. The program is part of a broader state effort to address contaminated or underutilized properties known as brownfields, which often hinder economic growth and community development. This specific funding opportunity is issued under Round 24 and is designed to support strategic planning efforts rather than direct remediation or construction activities. It aligns with a larger pool of brownfield-related funding programs totaling up to twenty five million dollars, indicating a coordinated statewide initiative to improve redevelopment outcomes. The primary purpose of the program is to assist eligible applicants in developing comprehensive, area wide implementation plans for neighborhoods or districts affected by multiple brownfield sites. Rather than addressing individual sites in isolation, the program emphasizes a coordinated planning approach that integrates environmental assessment, redevelopment strategy, and community engagement. Applicants are expected to produce actionable plans that identify specific sites for cleanup and reuse while also outlining broader economic revitalization strategies for the defined project area. These plans should incorporate feasibility analyses, market studies, infrastructure considerations, and prioritization of investments. Funding under this program is limited to planning activities and cannot be used for direct remediation or construction. Eligible uses include environmental assessments, mapping, infrastructure analysis, market studies, conceptual design, and development of implementation strategies. Certain limitations apply, such as a cap on environmental assessment costs and restrictions on project management expenses. The program requires a minimum ten percent cash match from applicants, which may be contributed by the applicant or project partners, though in kind contributions are not permitted. Individual awards must fall within a defined range, ensuring both minimum and maximum funding thresholds are respected. Eligibility is restricted to specific public and quasi public entities within Connecticut, including municipalities, Connecticut Brownfield Land Banks, economic development agencies, and regional councils of governments. These entities must demonstrate the capacity to manage a planning process that includes stakeholder engagement and coordination across multiple sectors. Applicants are encouraged to form advisory or steering committees consisting of community members, private sector representatives, and regional stakeholders to guide the planning process from its early stages through completion. The application process requires submission through the DECD electronic grant portal, and applications must include both general threshold information and a detailed project narrative. Failure to meet threshold requirements, such as the match obligation, may result in disqualification prior to full evaluation. Proposals are evaluated using a structured scoring system based on criteria including project need, clarity of vision, work plan quality, applicant capacity, collaboration, and alignment with state policies. Only complete and responsive applications are considered competitive. Key timeline elements include a firm application deadline in early September, with a preceding period for submitting questions and participating in informational webinars or office hours. Applicants may receive clarification requests following submission, and award announcements are expected later in the year. The anticipated project period for funded planning activities is approximately two years from contract execution, with the possibility of extensions under certain conditions. The program operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning that applicants must initially incur eligible expenses before seeking reimbursement after contract execution and approval of consultants or contractors. Communication with the program is facilitated through a dedicated email address and hotline, ensuring applicants have access to support throughout the process. Overall, this grant represents a structured opportunity for public entities to advance comprehensive planning efforts that lay the groundwork for future brownfield remediation and community revitalization initiatives.

Ensure strong alignment with evaluation criteria including project need, vision, and partnerships; fully satisfy threshold requirements including match; provide clear and complete narrative responses