Brownfields Buzz

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

October 2025

While many EPA staff members are temporarily furloughed during the government shutdown, the KSU TAB team is here to provide you with the support, guidance, and tools you need to prepare to apply for your Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup grant applications—even as we wait.

Don’t forget that you can reach out to KSU TAB’s regional coordinators at any time. If you're outside of our service area in EPA Regions 5–8, you can use this map to find your regional TAB provider.

Please know that we will provide updates as soon as any changes are announced by the EPA or at the federal level.

Thank You and Farewell to our Director of Finance & Operations, Daena Robinson!

Last week, we said goodbye to Daena Robinson, who served as the Director of Finance & Operations for the Center for Hazardous Substance Research (CHSR) and its programs for seven years. During her time at the Center, Daena was the cornerstone of our financial and operational processes—guiding proposal development, refining procedures, and ensuring every budget and report met the highest standards.



Beyond her expertise, Daena brought a spirit of humor, unmatched organization, and consistent leadership that helped strengthen our team and shape our day-to-day operations. She is a true process-creator, and an even better colleague and friend.

We’re deeply grateful for all she has contributed to CHSR and the KSU TAB program, and we wish her the very best in her next chapter!

"Daena’s initiative and versatility in supporting events, financial accounting, and other aspects of KSU TAB were instrumental in the successful expansion of the program to serve record numbers of communities over the past several years."

-Blase Leven, Executive Director of KSU TAB Programs

"Daena was my supervisor for less than a year, but I learned so much from her and I know that the support she gave me will carry me through my time at the Center... I am very grateful and appreciative of her."

-Hannah Craig, Events Coordinator for KSU TAB Programs

Toolbox

Considering Whether Public Funding Should Support a Redevelopment Project?

KSU TAB has launched the Community Benefits Calculator (CBC), which helps communities evaluate whether a redevelopment project offers a strong return on public investment.

The CBC estimates a project’s net financial cost or gain, provides a high-level risk assessment, and gauges how well a project aligns with community goals. Results can help guide public discussions, inform funding decisions, and highlight benefits such as job creation, private investment, and increased property values.

If you need a redevelopment project snapshot that provides key metrics like costs, revenues, estimated number of jobs created, and benefit and risk scores, download the Community Benefits Calculator to get started!

Get Grant-Ready with the New & Improved TAB EZ

Helpful Hints!

Stay tuned for the release of our FY26 Helpful Hints guidance document, an essential application companion to have on hand as you write your proposal.

Final Webinar in the Indiana Brightfield

Webinar Series!

Be sure to bring your site-specific questions. Each webinar will conclude with a 30-minute ‘office hours’ segment, offering participants the opportunity for one-on-one technical assistance. 

Register today to save your spot!

Regional Office Hours:

Stop in and chat with your regional TAB coordinator during the final Grant-Writing Office Hours sessions. These informal webinars will allow you to ask questions and talk through any concerns you have.

Additional Office Hour dates may be added following the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) release.

Your Voice Matters — Take Our 5-Question Survey to Shape the Future of ksutab.org.

Stay tuned — more updates and resources will be shared when the FY26 EPA Brownfield grant application guidelines are released!

Follow your KSU TAB Team on LinkedIn and Facebook!

Visit our website at www.ksutab.org.