PLUS: 3 Things to do Now for a FY26 brownfield grant
RESOURCES FOR REVITALIZATION
SEPTEMBER 2025
Using your Brownfield Success Story to Support Project Momentum
A brownfield success story can be anything from a groundbreaking celebration to an innovative cleanup technique used in remediation. By telling your story, you make sure it resonates with the people who matter most and show the good work you are doing to your community, elected officials, and grant-issuing agencies. Read more on CCLR’s blog.
Nature-Based Solutions: Using Nature to Heal Nature
Brownfield projects reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability by revitalizing sites instead of fueling sprawl. They also create opportunities to use nature-based remediation to clean up contamination and harness local ecosystems to strengthen climate resilience. Learn how CCLR can help integrate nature-based solutions for brownfields on our new Nature Based Solutions page.
Your Go-To Guide for Brownfield Data and Funding Resources
CCLR compiled Using Data to Make Your Case: Leveraging Investment for Equitable Redevelopmentto help you navigate the broad landscape of tools and data platforms that can support sustainable, community-led land reuse. Whether you are working on grant applications, shaping policy or championing change in your neighborhood, this guide is a quick and reliable reference for data on health, social conditions, economic indicators and state specific resources.
This guide has been updated for 2025 to reflect changes in federal data resources.
CCLR in Chicago! 2025 National Brownfields Training Conference
CCLR staff and consultants had an exciting (and busy) time at Brownfields 2025. Our team presented ten sessions covering Brownfields 101, AI in land reuse, and how to stack and sequence funding. We enjoyed meeting up with grantees at the Regional Open Houses, the R9 All States meeting, and our Peer Group in-person get-together. As always Brownfield Karaoke was a hit and the community reception on Navy Pier dazzled with a firework show. We were glad to
hear Chicago showcase its story of revival across the conference from the cleanup of the Chicago River, to rebuilding after the Great Chicago Fire, to all the innovative brownfield reuses happening now.
We hope we were able to connect with you at Brownfields 2025. If you missed the conference, or one of our sessions, you can view all session presentations here. And if you still can’t get enough brownfields, register for the California Land Recycling Conference, Sept. 16-18 in Carson, CA.
Three Things To Do Today to Prepare for a FY26 MAC Grant Application
CCLR anticipates that the FY26 EPA Brownfield Grant Application Period will open in September or October. This year Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) Grants will be available. If you plan on applying for an FY26 MAC grant, here are three things you should do today:
Create/confirm your www.grants.gov account. Setting up an account is a slow process, so get started ASAP.
Generate an Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on www.sam.gov
Call your regional EPA office to ask any questions. Once the RFA is out EPA will only be able to discuss threshold criteria and all other questions must go through CCLR.
CCLR is hiring! We are seeking a full-time Senior Events and Program Associate to help organize and execute all online and in-person educational events. Read more and apply today. Careers at the Center for Creative Land Recycling are an opportunity to work within a dedicated team of land reuse experts in a growing organization.
EVENTS
FY26 Brownfield Grant Workshop
Thursday, October 2 │ 9:00 AM PT│ Zoom Webinar│ Register Now
In collaboration with the National League of Cities, CCLR will give an insiders’ look at program changes, application tips, and strategies to make your FY26 EPA Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Brownfields Grant application stand out. This is more than just a webinar, join us for a cost-free, four-hour workshop with interactive exercises to sharpen your funding strategy, gain exclusive resources you can put to work immediately, and have the chance to book one-on-one office hours with our team for personalized guidance after the session. Whether you intend to apply in FY26 or FY27, this workshop will set you on the path to application success!
CALRC is the premier Southwest conference for land recycling professionals! Join us to chart the future of sustainable land use. This year, join two new CALRC sessions:
Brownfields 101 IntensiveThis dynamic, hands-on workshop is designed for participants with little or no experience in brownfield redevelopment. You’ll gain foundational knowledge of what brownfields are, how to identify and prioritize them, and the basic steps of the cleanup and reuse process. You’ll also hear rapid-fire insights from seasoned professionals who’ve successfully transformed brownfield sites into community assets.
Perfect Pitch Competition Central Assembly of Richmond, The City of Tulelake and Coconino County AZ have been selected as Perfect Pitch Finalists! Join the Perfect Pitch on Thursday to learn how these teams plan to transform a strip mall, fertilizer storage depot and old county jail into resilient community assets!
The finalists will pitch their redevelopment project, gain expert feedback from seasoned developers and practitioners—and compete for your votes! You, the audience, will cast decide which project is most likely to succeed. The winner will receive a custom consultation to determine actionable next steps and a pro-bono package up to $25,000 to move their project forward.
CDFA Tribal Finance Webinar Series
September 9 & September 10 │ 1:00 - 2:30 PM PT, 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET│Register Now
This free series offers a comprehensive approach to advancing infrastructure, connectivity, and growth on tribal lands. With a dedicated grant writing workshop that provides actionable insights, you'll leave prepared to make a positive impact in your community.
Grow America EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Office Hours. Bring your questions, opportunities, and challenges regarding Brownfields financing and redevelopment.
Wednesday, September 24 @ 3-5pm ET/12-2pm PT: Register here.
Wednesday, October 22 @ 3-5pm ET/12-2pm PT: Register here.
Wednesday, November 19 @ 3-5pm ET/12-2pm PT: Register here.
Meet Your Fulcrum Potential: Balancing Power Between Community Members and Land Reuse Practitioners
Wednesday, October 29│11:00 AM PT on Zoom │ Register now
Save the date for CCLR and Groundwork USA’s dynamic webinar designed for nonprofits and community groups interested in supporting equitable brownfields redevelopment.
Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program - Amended NOFO
Applications Accepted from September 8, 2025 - October 8. 2025
The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program NOFO provides up to $54.2 million in no-match grants on a first-come, first-serve basis to support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities. This amended NOFO combines Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025 program funds, with a $20 million set-aside for Tribes. Read more.
Read two new reports from EPA!
2025 Brownfields Federal Programs GuideInformation about federal agencies and organizations, their missions and connection to brownfields, and the programs that provide technical or financial assistance relevant to brownfields. Read now.
EPA’s Community Actions That Drive Brownfield RevitalizationThis guide includes six actions to help prepare local communities for brownfield reuse. Read now.
