Contributed by Trey Hess P.E., Director of Brownfields and Economic Development, PPM Consultants
There’s nothing like a great acronym when it comes to environmental rules, regulations, or incentives. There’s LUST (Leaking Underground Storage Tanks); there’s RBCA (pronounced “Rebecca” for Risk-Based Corrective Action); and my favorite, TOSI (Temporarily Out of Service Indefinitely), which is an oxymoron, right?
Tennessee now has an acronym they can really (forgive me!) BRAG about. The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) has just completed its latest round of Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grants (BRAG).
Earlier this month, representatives of Roane County, Tennessee were presented a check for $20,000 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) which aims to transform neglected and potentially contaminated properties into economic opportunities. Roane County, one of 36 recipients across Tennessee, plans to use the funding to begin revitalizing abandoned areas, turning them into safe, productive spaces that can improve the environment, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.
Maury County has also received a $20,000 grant from TDEC as part of the BRAG program and is planning to use the grant to identify and prioritize sites for redevelopment. Brownfields are underutilized or vacant properties potentially contaminated by hazardous substances, and their remediation reduces environmental and health risks while encouraging economic growth and community revitalization.
Announced in July by TDEC and funded through the Rural Brownfield Redevelopment Investment Act, these grants support local governments in assessing, prioritizing, and redeveloping underused or abandoned sites. The grant helps in addressing environmental risks while fostering economic growth, with a focus on rural areas. With the July announcement (see Table below), TDEC awarded 36 Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grants (BRAG) totaling $718,757. The grants are intended for revitalizing rundown and underutilized properties across the state. BRAG grants, established through the Rural Brownfield Redevelopment Investment Act, provide essential funding for local governments and development boards to identify, investigate, and remediate properties impacted by contamination. These efforts not only address environmental risks but also unlock economic opportunities, particularly in rural areas, by turning neglected spaces into productive community assets.
| Awardee | County | Amount |
| Fayette County | Fayette | $20,000 |
| City of Paris | Henry | $20,000 |
| South Central TN Development District | Wayne Moore Maury Marshall Lincoln Lewis Lawrence Hickman Giles Coffee Bedford | $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 |
| Town of Linden | Perry | $20,000 |
| Industrial Development Board of Perry Co. | Perry | $20,000 |
| Williamson County | Williamson | $20,000 |
| Putnam County | Putnam | $20,000 |
| Franklin County | Franklin | $20,000 |
| Anderson County | Anderson | $20,000 |
| Gibson County | Gibson | $20,000 |
| Trousdale County | Trousdale | $20,000 |
| Town of Saltillo | Hardin | $18,847 |
| Roane County | Roane | $19,910 |
| City of Elizabethton | Carter | $20,000 |
| City of Covington | Tipton | $20,000 |
| Greater Nashville Regional Council | Humphreys Cheatham Dickson Davidson Houston Montgomery Robertson Rutherford Sumner Stewart Wilson | $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 |
This year’s BRAG funding focuses on the identification category, allowing applicants to receive up to $20,000 to inventory and prioritize brownfield sites for redevelopment. Future grant cycles will address investigation and remediation phases, ensuring a comprehensive approach to transforming these properties. The application window for 2024 has closed but expect applications to be accepted in the coming months. BRAG Project Categories include the following:
IDENTIFICATION – The creation of an inventory of brownfield sites, which may span multiple locations. Maximum Grant – $20,000 contract term – 12 months
INVESTIGATION – Conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), conducted in accordance with the current ASTM E-1527 standard, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment conducted in accordance with the current ASTM E1903 standard, or any other environmental investigation. Maximum Grant – $100,000, contract term – 24 months
REMEDIATION – Actions to contain, remove, mitigate, or dispose of hazardous substances, pollutants, other contaminants, or petroleum products, at a brownfield site. This may include certain types of demolition performed at a brownfield and the installation or upgrade of the minimum amount of infrastructure that is necessary to make a brownfield property usable. Maximum Grant – $500,000, contract term – 24 months
Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the state, including, but not limited to a county, municipality, development district, or development board. Applicants may submit up to three applications—one from each Project Category listed above. Individual grants are capped at $500,000 annually per eligible entity and all awarded investigation and remediation projects must enroll in the TDEC Voluntary Oversight and Assistance Program (VOAP). Governor Bill Lee praised the program’s role in addressing blemished properties across Tennessee, emphasizing the importance of turning environmental liabilities into assets. He also commended communities for their proactive efforts to pursue grant opportunities and engage in environmental stewardship. Lt. Governor Randy McNally highlighted the grants’ potential to drive economic growth in areas previously hindered by contamination, while Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton emphasized their ability to convert environmentally challenged properties into usable spaces. TDEC Commissioner David Salyers acknowledged the overwhelming interest in the program’s inaugural year and noted that many critical projects are being addressed through this funding.
The BRAG initiative, supported by Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, represents a collaborative effort to enhance environmental quality and foster economic development. By investing in brownfield redevelopment, the state is transforming neglected properties into valuable community resources, creating a cleaner, safer environment while driving economic revitalization. As the program continues, its impact will be felt across Tennessee, enabling communities to overcome challenges and embrace new opportunities for growth and renewal. If you want to learn more about Brownfield incentives that can help make redevelopment a reality for your community, give me a call or send me an email.