Brownfields Buzz

Your hub for brownfields spotlights, tools, events, news, and more!

August 2025

KSU TAB at NBC & TLEF

The TAB team was out in full force this month, connecting with communities at both the National Brownfields Training Conference (NBC) in Chicago and the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF) in Minneapolis.



At NBC, the TAB & Friends Social drew an overwhelming crowd — The Staley was packed with partners and new friends joining for an evening of networking and karaoke. Throughout the week, TAB staff also shared expertise in 18 sessions including:

• Brownfields 201. New U.S. EPA Grantee Kickstart
• Community Benefits Calculator: Is the Public Investment Worth It?
• Enhancing Tribal Response Programs: Creative Approaches for 128a Compliance

A listing of all TAB sessions is here and presentation slides are posted on the Brownfields 2025 website.

Just one week later, Tribal TAB joined communities and tribes from across the country at TLEF, where they led and participated in sessions on Indigenous planning, nature-based solutions, and incorporating BiT into tribal project management and community asset mapping—among many others!

Together, these events highlighted the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing across regions and communities, and the momentum building toward more innovative, efficient, and inclusive brownfields redevelopment.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Technical Assistance Lounge, visited our booths, or connected with us in the hallways between sessions—it was wonderful to meet and reconnect with so many of you.

Toolbox

TAB EZ is Getting a Renovation:

Learn How You Can Prepare for the Transition

KSU TAB is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new and enhanced TAB EZ platform just in time for the FY26 MAC grant competition!

This transition enhances the look and flow of the grant writing tool, designed to provide a more intuitive and efficient user experience. To ensure a smooth transition, KSU TAB will be providing comprehensive tutorials to help users learn and navigate the new system. These resources will be available upon the new platform's launch.

Important Action Required for Current Users: Grant applications written in the current TAB EZ platform will not be automatically transferred. It is crucial that all users export existing grant applications from the current platform to a Word document. Once TAB EZ is re-launched in mid-September, users will have an opportunity to copy and paste content from old applications into the new platform. Migration will not occur automatically.

Note: users will retain access to the current version of TAB EZ until December 1, 2025.

Tribal Brownfield Grant

Management Training Series

Join us for the Tribal Brownfields Grant Management Training Series, a collaborative event hosted by Tribal TAB and featuring current Tribal Brownfields grantees, EPA Tribal Project Officers, and the Tribal TAB team from KSU and ANTHC.

Indiana Brightfield Webinar Series

Communities in Indiana and around the country are increasingly looking to reactivate their brownfields for clean energy, turning them into “brightfields.” Closed landfills in particular are promising sites for solar and offer communities new opportunities and tax revenue for sites with little to no other reuse options. 

The Indiana Brightfield Webinar Series will introduce communities to renewable energy as an option for brownfield reuse, discuss permitting and liability concerns, and explore pathways for renewable energy procurement.

Be sure to bring your site-specific questions. The last 30-minutes of each webinar will be reserved for office hours with one-on-one technical assistance. 

Upcoming FY 2026 MAC Grants

The U.S. EPA is expected to release the Notice of Funding Opportunity the FY 2026 Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) grants this fall.

As in past years, KSU TAB will configure the TAB EZ grant writing tool to reflect application requirements, and will release its FY 2026 Helpful Hints Criteria to guide applicants through the process and strengthen proposals. An announcement will be made as soon as these resources are available, so keep an eye on your inbox for the latest updates.

EPA Brownfields Job Training Grants Are Still Open! Apply by September 26th

Looking to build a local workforce to support brownfields revitalization? EPA’s Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants are now open. Applications are due September 26, 2025.

The Job Training Program helps communities deliver free, skills-based training in environmental assessment, cleanup, site prep, and reuse.

These grants empower under-employed and unemployed residents—especially those living in areas impacted by contamination or disinvestment—with pathways to full-time careers in environmental and cleanup-related fields.

Eligible applicants include:

✔ Nonprofits

✔ Local governments

✔ Workforce development organizations

✔ Tribal entities and others

Need a second set of eyes? TAB providers are available to review draft applications. Refer to the Provider list below to contact your regional technical assistance expert!

Explore details, FAQs, and training examples on EPA’s official grant page.

Follow your KSU TAB Team on LinkedIn and Facebook!

Visit our website at www.ksutab.org.