Brownfields Buzz
Your hub for brownfields spotlights, tools, events, news, and more!
July 2026
| | | Stevensville Envisions a New Future for the Anstey Foundry | | |
From 1945 until its closure in 2011, the Anstey Foundry was central to the industrial fabric of Stevensville, Michigan. Since then, the property has sat vacant, its buildings deteriorating and the site becoming an increasingly visible challenge near the heart of downtown.
The Village of Stevensville acquired the property in December 2024 with the goal of returning it to productive use. The 2.47-acre site is zoned for a range of downtown uses, including mixed-use development, retail, restaurants, and professional services. Village planning documents identify affordable or workforce housing—either on its own or paired with ground-floor commercial space—as a preferred redevelopment direction.
Next steps for the foundry have been shaped by community input. Working with KSU TAB, the Village completed an opportunity analysis to identify potential uses for the property and asked residents what they want to see in its place. Mixed-use redevelopment featuring commercial space and apartments or townhomes emerged as a leading preference. KSU TAB’s analysis also helped the Village demonstrate the redevelopment potential of the property as it pursued federal funding for cleanup.
In June, Stevensville received great news: A $733,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant to support demolition of the deteriorated structures, asbestos abatement, and other cleanup activities. Once that work is complete, the Village plans to seek a private developer to help transform the property into a new community asset.
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Village of Stevensville Manager Kacey Dominguez believes that redevelopment of the property is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of downtown Stevensville.
“Our community has made it clear that they want this property to once again become an active part of village life. Redeveloping this site is more than just cleaning up the property; it’s a thoughtful investment in the future of downtown Stevensville. The former Anstey Foundry is an opportunity to turn a long-standing challenge into one of Stevensville’s greatest community assets.”
If you're interested in working with KSU TAB to perform an opportunity analysis, or need assistance with another part of your brownfields project, we're here to help you succeed no matter where you're at in your redevelopment journey. Reach out when you're ready to work with us, or view our online resources and suite of completely free brownfields e-tools for additional support.
| | Community Benefits Calculator | | Are you faced with decisions about whether public funding and/or incentives should be invested in a redevelopment project? The KSU TAB Community Benefits Calculator is a great tool to begin an evaluation of public investment for community benefit. Outputs include a project summary that may assist with general public education, and discussions with decision-makers and potential funders about items of interest such as jobs, private investment and other external funding, and increased value to adjacent properties. The Community Benefits Calculator may be used to forecast project results or document the results of a recently completed project. |
Explore NJIT's Learning Module: Setting Up a Grant Management System with Zahra. | | |
NJIT TAB has released their latest Learning Module: Setting Up a Grant Management System with Zahra!
Securing funding is a massive win, but managing it effectively is what ensures successful brownfield redevelopment and long-term community revitalization. Designed specifically for local governments, nonprofits, and stakeholders, this comprehensive module provides the essential frameworks and tools needed to streamline tracking, maintain compliance, and maximize project impact while following along with Zahra, a virtual municipal Grant Manager.
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The events featured above are just a glimpse of what's taking place this summer. KSU TAB is hosting and partnering on webinars, workshops, conferences, alongside regional events covering workforce development, grant funding, redevelopment planning, community engagement, and more!
Visit ksutab.org/events to view the full calendar and register for upcoming events.
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In 2026, Grow America and ICMA are hosting a new, no-cost, in-person training series for EPA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees nationwide. Hosted in four different regions, this hands-on workshop series brings the Brownfields RLF teams together for focused learning, practical exercises, and peer-to-peer exchange. Each of these day-and-a-half-long workshops provide attendees with core knowledge on working effectively with developers, project pipeline development, underwriting approaches, and RLF process and policies.
Details for the final two workshops:
- New Orleans, Louisiana RLF Workshop: October 6-7, 2026 @ The Intercontinental New Orleans
- Clark County, Nevada RLF Workshop: December 8-9, 2026 @ AC Hotel Symphony Park Las Vegas
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FY 2027 EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant Guidelines Now Available | | |
EPA has released the FY 2027 Brownfields Job Training Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity!
Brownfields Job Training Grants support programs that recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents in environmental careers related to brownfields assessment, cleanup, remediation, chemical safety, site preparation, and more. Applications are due September 23, 2026.
Prospective applicants can take advantage of several resources as they prepare:
Applicants requesting a TAB review should give one-weeks’ notice prior to submitting your application for review. The draft application must contain complete Narrative Criteria Responses and Threshold Criteria Responses Sections for review.
View the FY 2027 Brownfields Job Training Grant guidelines and applicant resources.
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Do you have a brownfield or vacant lot in your community waiting to be transformed into a park or community garden? Join a completely free 6-month learning cohort to build the skills, connections, and confidence to move a land reuse project forward.
GroundWork USA and the Center for Creative Land Recycling are accepting individuals from 10–12 nonprofits and CBOs from across the country. No prior experience is required.
Participants will gain:
- Expert guidance through group sessions and individual coaching
- Hands-on support and training for your local project
- Connections to a nationwide network of like-minded organizations
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| Mark Your Calendars for Brownfields 2027 | | |
The National Brownfields Training Conference will return May 25–28, 2027, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted by EPA and ICMA, the conference is the nation's largest event focused on the intersection of brownfields redevelopment, land revitalization, and economic growth.
Registration is expected to open in Fall 2026.
Visit gobrownfields.org for conference updates and additional information.
| | The KSU TAB program is operated through the Center for Hazardous Substance Research (CHSR) at Kansas State University. | | |
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Visit our website at www.ksutab.org.
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