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Story:
Who’s Responsible for the Victor Mill Mess?It's been described as a war zone. A once vibrant textile mill, tattered and torn. Residents surrounding the Victor Mill say it's a safety hazard and an environmental threat, but getting anything done about it has been a battle. 7 On Your Side Wants To Know how much longer residents in that area are going to have to live with the filth and ruin. Poll:
Resources:
Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan
Fund Pilot Fact Sheet
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For many years, South Carolina's economic strength was based on its textile industry. However, changes in the global textile industry have decimated this industry in the state and resulted in the closure and abandonment of many textile mills. These mills once were the economic backbone of numerous small towns. Many poor communities throughout the state have minority populations above the state average of 32%. These minority communities are primarily in the southern part of the state, which has historically been more agricultural than industrial. All cities in the state have neighborhoods that are composed primarily of minority residents. Environmental justice is an important issue for almost every community in South Carolina.
South Carolina has been working to develop and expand its voluntary cleanup program (VCP) staff. The VCP is working closely with the seven Brownfields Assessment Pilots and one RCRA Brownfields Pilot in the state.BCRLF OBJECTIVES The State of South Carolina is the lead agency for an existing BCRLF Pilot formed by a coalition partnership consisting of the Counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Kershaw, and Spartanburg; the Towns of Bluffton, Johnston, Lyman, Ware Shoals, and Yemassee; and the Cities of Anderson and Greenville. With this new BCRLF award, the state is expanding this existing coalition to encompass the entire state. This new component of South Carolina's existing BCRLF Pilot coalition will focus on areas of socioeconomic distress and environmental justice needs throughout the state. The state anticipates that municipalities will benefit the most from the Pilot, but public, private, and nonprofit organizations will be eligible to apply for loans. Priority will be given to proposals for loans that include sustainable redevelopment plans, potential for jobs creation, and benefits to the community. The Arcade Mill site in the City of Rock Hill will be a focus for the state-wide expansion of the South Carolina BCRLF pilot. The Arcade Mill site includes an abandoned textile mill that has been destroyed by fire, a machine shop, and a chemical storage warehouse. The facility is located in the middle of a residential area and has been assessed by the city. FUND STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is the cooperative agreement recipient and will serve as the lead agency and site manager. The Carolina Capital Investment Corporation, a nonprofit organization serving as the administrative arm of the South Carolina Jobs Economic Development Authority, will serve as fund manager. LEVERAGING OTHER RESOURCES The state's Drinking Water and Clean Water Revolving Loan Funds may be used for cleanups related to water quality protection. Other sources of funding and incentives include the Community Redevelopment Act, Small Business Administration, and federal brownfields tax incentive programs. South Carolina also is considering legislation to provide state financial incentives for brownfields redevelopment. CONTACTS South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (803) 896-4000 Region 4 Brownfields Coordinator (404) 562-8682 Visit the EPA Region 4 Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/Region4/waste/bf/index.htm For further information, including specific Pilot contacts, additional Pilot information, Brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields Courtesy: Environmental Protection Agency |
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