Nominations Closing Next Week

The premier awards program for brownfields redevelopment is coming to Chicago! The awards reflect the progression of brownfield redevelopment over the past 20+ years by recognizing extraordinary practitioners and projects.

Today, brownfields redevelopment is an established practice area with expertise and organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors across the country. The awards recognize exemplary practitioners and projects that are creating jobs, economic opportunity, and stronger communities.

Nominations are due on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

All winners will be notified in June 2025 and recognized at the National Brownfields Training Conference in Chicago from August 5-8, 2025.

The 2023 National Award Winner

Buffalo Color Park and Buffalo River (Buffalo, New York)

The Dye Remediation Project at the former Buffalo Color Corporation site in Buffalo, New York, showcases a successful transformation of a heavily contaminated industrial area into a vibrant, community-focused space. Led by OSC Inc., this extensive cleanup effort addressed over a century of pollution left behind by dye and chemical manufacturing operations that dated back to 1879.

Spanning 47 acres near the Buffalo River, the site was riddled with hazardous substances like arsenic, mercury, chlorobenzene, and BTEX compounds. OSC undertook a range of remediation activities, including asbestos abatement, demolition of unsafe structures, soil excavation, and the installation of a protective cap and underground barrier wall to prevent further contamination. They also revitalized the sewer system, enhanced water treatment capabilities, and utilized bioremediation to tackle chlorobenzene plumes.

The site has since been repurposed into usable commercial and industrial space, featuring developments like the WNY Heritage Discovery Center and the Medaille Sports Complex. This project not only eliminated a long-standing environmental threat but also sparked economic growth and job creation in the Elk Street Corridor, highlighting the power of redevelopment.

Affiliate Meeting Requests Closing Soon

Affiliate Meetings are any events that are requested to take place in conjunction with the National Brownfields Training Conference that are not part of educational programming.

There will be no charge for use of the meeting space at McCormick Place, however, all food and beverage and audio-visual requests will be directed to our official vendors, and requestors will need to establish a form of payment with each vendor directly.

The deadline to request an affiliate meeting is Friday, May 16, 2025.



For more information, please contact Travis Childrey (tchildrey@icma.org).

Grow America and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) have launched a new Technical Assistance for Brownfields (TAB) collaboration. This new initiative will learn from and build support for EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees nationwide. By leveraging proven expertise, a range of offerings will be available to prospective, current, or past Brownfields RLF grantees and will focus on financial capacity, networking, and training.

Register for our upcoming listening session: Join us for an online information session on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST to learn more about these program supports from the team at Grow America and ICMA and ask any questions you have.

Spring Shoutouts

In March, the Brownfields Conference team and Local Planning Committee wrapped up an incredibly successful (and jam-packed) meeting and site visit to Chicago to review programming, meet with partners, and tour mobile workshop sites and potential reception venues.

And in April, EPA and ICMA team members spent the day in the DC office planning the educational sessions for Brownfields 2025!

We want to give a big thank you to all the members of our National Review Panel, and Local Planning Committee, as well as all the folks who submitted incredible session ideas. We couldn't bring this conference to life without your support!

Sponsorships and Exhibiting Are Open

Sponsorship and exhibiting elevates your visibility and connects you with thousands of decision makers and potential clients from the private sector, local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit and community groups, and academia.

• Get an audience with decision makers
• Showcase products, services, and thought leadership to your target market
• Enhance your company's visibility with the audience that matters
• Develop new high quality leads and important contacts
• Learn about emerging issues that may affect your company's future objectives

Registration Opening Soon

Mark your calendars: Registration for the National Brownfields Training Conference will open in April 2025!

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