EPA Announces $3.5 Million in Grants to Assess and Cleanup Communities in Iowa

EPA Announces $3.5 Million in Grants to Assess and Cleanup Communities in Iowa

June 24, 2026

LENEXA, KAN. (JUNE 24, 2026) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3 million in Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) grants to accelerate the cleanup of polluted sites across Iowa. EPA also provided $500,000 in supplemental funding to one high-performing Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantee in Iowa.

With these funds, EPA is investing directly in American communities to clean up and redevelop blighted properties, delivering on the Trump Administration's commitment to ensure that clean air, land, and water goes hand-in-hand with economic growth and opportunity.

"EPA is focused on delivering practical results that transform contaminated properties into clean, valuable spaces that spark economic growth and that directly benefit American families," said Acting Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management Thomas Croci. "Addressing environmental contamination and reusing brownfield properties revitalizes neighborhoods, drives local job creation, and unleashes new economic opportunities. EPA is proud to partner with local communities to ensure they have the cleanest air, land, and water as we power the Great American Comeback."

"Congratulations to our Brownfields selectees in Iowa," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy. "These grants have the power to transform communities by opening the door to reuse, revitalization, and economic growth. We are proud to deliver these resources to Region 7."

Clean air, land, and water for all Americans is the first pillar of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. These grants put that commitment into action while simultaneously powering economic growth in communities across the country.

Selected applications for the 2026 Brownfield Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grants and RLF supplemental funding in Iowa include:

• $1 million to Burlington, Iowa, a selected recipient for a Multipurpose Grant to conduct brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, community outreach, and cleanup activities at a brownfield site owned by the recipient.
• $500,000 to Dubuque, Iowa, a selected recipient for an Assessment Grant to conduct brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
• $500,000 to the Nahant Marsh Education Center in Davenport, Iowa, a selected recipient for an Assessment Grant to conduct brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
• $500,000 to the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission in Iowa, a selected recipient for an Assessment Grant to conduct brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments, and community outreach.
• $500,000 to the East Central Intergovernmental Association in Iowa, for this high-performing RLF grantee to continue operating revolving loan funds that finance cleanup activities and promote redevelopment at brownfields sites.

Grant recipients with viable cleanup projects ready for work will help communities continue their work to carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects on contaminated brownfield properties.

View the list of selected applicants in Iowa.Exit EPA's website

Background

EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and, once these grants are awarded, will have provided over $3 billion in grant funding to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfields investments leveraged more than $45 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage, from both public and private sources, more than 228,900 jobs. Through fiscal year 2025, on average, $19.47 was leveraged for each EPA Brownfields Grant dollar awarded through multipurpose, assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup cooperative agreements.

After selection, awards will be made once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied by selected applicants.

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