The Province is opening a second 2011 intake for the Brownfield Renewal Funding Program today. Throughout British Columbia, $800,000 is available to support the revitalization of brownfield sites.

The Province recently announced close to $1 million for 14 projects around B.C., but funding is still available for qualified applicants. To accommodate the short field season in many B.C. communities, applications will be assessed immediately and successful applicants will be notified. The deadline to apply is Sunday, July 17, 2011.

Brownfields are abandoned, vacant or derelict sites that are contaminated, but have the potential for redevelopment, such as old gas station sites. The Province's contributions allow these sites to reach their full potential, increasing commercial space, creating employment, improving community safety, retaining greenspace and reducing pressures on undeveloped land.

Apply now: http://www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/financial.html

Since its inception in 2007, the Province's Brownfield Renewal Funding Program has provided $3.4 million to support initial environmental work on 44 projects, making B.C. a national leader in brownfield management.

Brownfield Renewal Strategy: http://www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca.

Media Contact:

Cheekwan Ho
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261