University News
Brownfield Redevelopment Workshop Oct. 7 in Peoria
September 9, 2014
MACOMB, IL — Next month, the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University will co-host a workshop to educate and assist communities about the potential for brownfield land reuse and revitalization.
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, brownfield sites impact nearly all Illinois communities, including the smallest towns. A brownfield site is an abandoned factory or other commercial operation that has formerly produced pollution or contaminants, said IIRA program manager Fred Iutzi. He added brownfield sites can also be smaller sites no longer in operation, such as former gas stations or dry-cleaning establishments.
The complimentary workshop, "Brownfields Redevelopment Resources," which is co-hosted with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program at Kansas State University, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center (801 W. Main, Peoria, IL). Registration is required by Monday, Oct. 6 and can be completed online at www.ksutab.org/education/workshops/details?id=112. Lunch will be provided.
Iutzi said the workshop will be of interest to local and regional government officials, not-for-profit economic and community development organizations, lenders and real-estate professionals, property owners and anyone interested in learning about brownfields or about financial resources for local redevelopment.
"Community leaders are recognizing that brownfield redevelopment can produce numerous benefits, including improved public health and environmental conditions, economic growth and increased local employment opportunities, revitalized neighborhoods and increased local tax revenues," he said. "This workshop is designed to help communities gain a better understanding of what a brownfield is, and to learn how brownfield revitalization can be incorporated into any community's economic development strategy. State and national leaders will also discuss resources available to Illinois communities."
For more information contact Iutzi at (309) 298-1453, Jolene Willis at the IIRA at (309) 298-2835 or via email at JS-Willis@wiu.edu or John Whalen, at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, at (309) 663-7528 or via email at john.whalen@illinois.gov.
These workshops are made possible with funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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