A free Sept. 21 workshop in Ames will help communities identify resources to help redevelop and revitalize areas that may have environmental contamination.
The workshop, titled Funding Economic Development and Land Revitalization through Brownfields: Brownfields Redevelopment Resources for Your Region, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave, on Sept. 21.
The DNR, in partnership with the Technical Assistance to Brownfields program at Kansas State University, offers the workshop to help communities learn about brownfield properties and how to manage successful redevelopment projects, including securing funding and technical assistance from local, state, and federal resources.
Brownfields are properties where reuse or redevelopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination. These properties are often abandoned, idled or under-used. Putting brownfield sites back into use helps revitalize the community by creating jobs, generating additional tax revenue, saving municipal costs and spurring economic development in the area.
Participants should register by Sept. 15 by going to www.ksutab.org/education/workshops/. Any questions regarding registration can be directed to Sheree Walsh at Kansas State at chsr@ksu.edu or 785-532-6519.
The workshop is recommended for local and regional government and economic development staff, community members and grant writers, real estate developers and brokers, financial lenders, city and regional planners, and anyone else interested in financial resources for community redevelopment projects where environmental concerns may have hindered property reinvestment.