Martinsburg nets $400K to assess blighted properties

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The city of Martinsburg will receive $400,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess blighted properties in the city, the EPA said Thursday.

The city was among 147 communities across the nation to be selected by the EPA to receive 243 brownfields grant “investments” to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, according to an EPA news release.

The city could use the funding to assess key sites in Martinsburg, such as the blighted Interwoven Mills complex, as well as other vacant and underutilized industrial properties.

Martinsburg will receive $200,000 to conduct a total of eight environmental-site assessments for hazardous substances, and another $200,000 to assess sites with potential petroleum contamination.

Grant funds also will be used for cleanup planning and community outreach activities.

Martinsburg’s application was prepared and submitted by Sustainable Strategies DC, which was authorized by the city council last fall to do the work as part of a $6,000 proposal.

City Manager Mark Baldwin touted the EPA announcement as “good news for Martinsburg,” and lauded the work of Sustainable Strategies DC Chief Executive Officer Matt Ward for laying out the city’s need for the funding.

“We’re obviously very appreciative of the EPA’s award to the city,” Baldwin said.

Read the full article on the Herald-Mail website.