Brownfield Municipal Grant Program (Assessment Only)

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, through its Office of Community Development, administers the Brownfield Municipal Grant Program to support the assessment and redevelopment of contaminated or potentially contaminated properties across the state. This specific funding opportunity is the Assessment-only track under Round 24AO, announced on July 15, 2026. The program is grounded in Connecticut General Statutes Section 32-763 and is designed to stimulate economic development by addressing environmental barriers that prevent the reuse of underutilized or abandoned properties. Brownfields are defined as sites where redevelopment is hindered due to actual or suspected environmental contamination in soil, groundwater, or structures. The purpose of this program is to fund activities that assess environmental conditions and prepare sites for future redevelopment. In doing so, the program aims to catalyze public-private partnerships, attract private investment, and support job creation. By focusing on early-stage site investigation and assessment, the program helps municipalities and eligible entities reduce uncertainty and risk associated with redevelopment. The broader strategic goal is to reactivate stalled properties and improve economic outcomes in distressed or underutilized areas across Connecticut. Funding for this round is part of a larger allocation of up to 25 million dollars across multiple brownfield-related programs, with this specific track offering grants ranging from 100000 to 200000 dollars per project. Eligible uses of funds include environmental investigation, site assessment activities, and limited demolition necessary to conduct those assessments. The funding is derived from state bond allocations, subject to approval by the State Bond Commission, as authorized under Public Act 25-174 for fiscal year 2027. Eligible applicants include municipalities, economic development agencies, and Connecticut Brownfield Land Banks. Applicants must demonstrate that they are not responsible for the contamination and must provide proof of site access or a clear path to obtaining site control. The application process requires submission through the DECD Euna electronic grant portal, and applications are divided into two sections: a threshold eligibility section and a detailed project section. Applications may be rejected based on failure to meet threshold requirements, which include demonstrating that the site qualifies as a brownfield and that the applicant has no liability for contamination. The evaluation process considers several criteria, including the clarity of assessment needs, knowledge of contamination history, feasibility of the budget, and the potential economic and community development impact. Additional scoring factors include whether the project is located in a distressed municipality or opportunity zone, the level of non-DECD support such as private investment or developer interest, and the applicant’s experience in managing similar projects successfully. These criteria are designed to prioritize projects with strong redevelopment potential and clear public benefit. The application timeline includes an application deadline of September 9, 2026 at noon Eastern Time, with a prior deadline of August 12, 2026 for submitting questions. A webinar and multiple office hours sessions are scheduled in July and August to support applicants. Following submission, applicants may receive clarification questions between September and October 2026, and award announcements are tentatively expected in November or December 2026. The program does not indicate a recurring cycle but is part of periodic funding rounds announced by the state. Applicants are encouraged to ensure completeness and accuracy in their submissions, as incomplete applications may be rejected or scored poorly. Supporting documentation must be properly labeled and aligned with the required checklist. For assistance, applicants can contact the program via email or phone. Overall, this grant program provides a structured and strategic funding opportunity for public entities in Connecticut to advance environmental assessment and unlock redevelopment potential for brownfield sites.

Ensure clarity on contamination history and assessment needs; demonstrate strong economic impact; provide evidence of site control and non liability; align budget with cost efficiency criteria