Applying for Brownfield Cleanup Tax Rebates

An Environmental Case Study from PPM Consultants

PPM Consultants have the experience and expert understanding to assist clients with all their environmental needs. Here’s just one example of how we helped a client in Hernando, MS, with applying for and receiving a brownfield cleanup tax rebate.

The Challenge

At the site of a former Reliable Equipment property that once housed a tractor dealership, Hernando Town Properties, LLC found only a brownfield to work with and redevelop. PPM assisted Hernando Town Properties, LLC with navigating the regulatory and administrative steps necessary to apply for and receive a brownfield cleanup tax rebate associated with the Mississippi Economic Redevelopment Act. The process included the development of a Corrective Action Plan (CAP), cleanup cost estimation, and eventual cleanup oversight and reporting.

The PPM Solution

Funding from Hernando’s EPA Brownfields Grant was used to conduct environmental site assessments and hold numerous meetings with developers, non-profits, realtors, investors, and onsite meetings with property owners. The City of Hernando was able to take advantage of the private sector incentives related to the Economic Redevelopment Act (MERA) for the planned transformation of the Reliable Equipment property into a redevelopment site within city limits. The Board of Aldermen approved a resolution (as required by the Act) designating the area as a “redevelopment area” so that the developer could apply for MERA with the MS Development Authority (MDA).

With PPM’s assistance, the Client received liability protection through a Brownfield Agreement with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The scope of work for the CAP included the excavation and disposal of approximately 226 tons of petroleum impacted soil, the unanticipated removal and disposal of two underground storage tanks discovered during excavation activities, and the backfilling of the excavation with clean sand/clay mixture and compaction of the backfill using excavation equipment to prevent settling. All work was conducted within budget and on time.

The Result

The Client renovated the existing building and repurposed it into two successful businesses: Uncle Bubba’s Barbeque restaurant and Social x Saint, a local boutique-style home store. Uncle Bubba’s generated 50 jobs and dramatically increased the quality of life for the residents of Hernando. Social x Saint has created jobs in the downtown Hernando area and offers residents and visitors a new opportunity to shop locally.