Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Opposing proposed reducations in federal funding for U.S. EPA Brownfield Grants.
Body
WHEREAS, funding by U.S. EPA of Brownfield Grants is instrumental for economic development in the State of Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the President’s proposed budget for U.S. EPA includes a 44% reduction in Brownfield Grants from EPA ($25 million in 2016 reduced to $14 million in 2018) and a 31% reduction in Brownfield State Grants from EPA ($48 million in 2016 reduced to $33 million in 2018); and,
WHEREAS, since 1998, Brownfield Grants awarded by the State of Wisconsin totaled $121.4 million to assist brownfield investigation, cleanup and redevelopment, a total of $162 million when local and Federal brownfield specific incentives are included; and,
WHEREAS, these grant programs funded by U.S. EPA are essential to successful brownfield redevelopment in the City of Madison and in the State of Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, in 2015, the University of Wisconsin Whitewater prepared a report entitled The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Wisconsin’s Brownfields Investments, which included the following economic findings:
· State investments, coupled with local government investments and federal brownfield assistance, have generated $3.3 billion in direct total investments/construction for $6 billion in direct and indirect investment in brownfield projects.
· Economic activity associated with the businesses now occupying completed projects amount to $4.4 billion direct (or $7.6 billion direct and indirect) in state-wide economic output.
· A total of 29,883 direct new and retained permanent jobs (or 54,483 direct and indirect jobs) were generated in assisted complete or underway brownfield projects. Projects representing an additional 9,107 jobs are planned; thus the total pipeline is 38,990 direct permanent jobs.
A complete copy of the Economic Report can be located at the following link:
Click here for full text