Brownfields, real property with the presence or potential presence of hazardous contaminants, are being aggressively targeted for cleanup by the City of South Bend.  The city's Brownfield Program helps property owners cleanup brownfields by identifying and mitigating environmental barriers that impede economic growth.

To provide that assistance, the city will provide low-interest loans for environmental remediation of brownfield sites and may provide a portion of these funds as a grant instead of a loan. All sites must be within the South Bend city limits. Both the site and the borrower must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency eligibility standards. The maximum loan amount is $300,000. The city received these funds through a grant from U.S. EPA.

Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund

The City of South Bend is seeking applications for cleanup loan requests from public and private entities with properties in the city. The applicant's ability to directly create and/or retain jobs or to otherwise positively affect South Bend's economy is a primary factor in the evaluation and selection of loan recipients.

What are the interest rates?

• Interest Rates will be set between 0% and 3% depending on the length of the loan:
  • Term: 0 - 12 months; Interest Rate: 0%
  • Term:13 - 36 months; Interest Rate:1%
  • Term: 37 - 72 months; Interest Rate: 2%
  • Term: 72 - 108 months; Interest Rate: 3%

Who can receive a loan?

• Any public or private entity with control of or access to a brownfield site is eligible for a grant from the City of South Bend if the property is within the South Bend city limits and meets U.S. EPA eligibility requirements.

Who is not eligible for brownfield loans?

• Borrowers and subgrantees may not use a loan from the Revolving Loan Fund to pay for cleanup costs at a brownfield site where a borrower is potentially liable under CERCLA 107.
• Entities that are currently suspended, debarred from receiving federal funding, or otherwise declared ineligible.

How much is available?

• Funds will be awarded on an ongoing basis based on project merit. The amount of funding allocated to specific projects is dependent upon the total amount of grant dollars remaining. Applications require cost estimates that must be detailed and justified.

How does it work?

• Preliminary applications are submitted to the Department of Community and Economic Development for initial screening for project eligibility. Applications will be prioritized and full applications will be requested for those sites with the highest redevelopment potential. Full applications will undergo financial and environmental reviews. Following these reviews, the loan will be presented to South Bend's Board of Public Works for consideration of approval. Upon funding award, the city will enter into a contractual agreement with the applicant.

What activities are eligible?

• CRLF funds are designated for cleanup activities at eligible brownfield sites. Actions associated with cleanup include:
  • Installation of fences, warning signs, or other security or site control precautions
  • Stabilization of berms, dikes, or impoundments, or drainage or closing of lagoons
  • Capping of contaminated soils
  • Using chemicals and other materials to retard the spread of the release or mitigate its effects
  • Excavation, consolidation, or removal of contaminated soils
  • Removal of drums, barrels, tanks, or other bulk containers that contain or may contain hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, including petroleum
  • Removal of drums, barrels, tanks, or other bulk containers that contain or may contain hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, including petroleum
  • Removal of source materials, including free product recovery
  • Containment, treatment, or disposal of hazardous materials and petroleum contaminations
  • Site monitoring activities, including sampling and analysis, that are reasonable and necessary during the cleanup process, including determination of the effectiveness of a cleanup
  • Site assessment activities that are reasonable, necessary, and incidental to the cleanup process, such as confirmation sampling.

How do I apply?

• Download the applications below and complete the required information.  Email completed applications to Ann Kolata.  Save a copy on your computer for your records.
  • Preliminary Application- MS Word
  • Final Application- MS Word

Contact

For more information, contact the Department of Community & Economic Development.

Ann Kolata, 574.235.9374 

Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Economic Development
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN 46601
574.235.9371 • Fax: 574.235.9021