Resources & Incentives

The Brownfields Program works to assess, clean up, and facilitate the redevelopment / reuse of potentially contaminated properties known as “brownfields” within the City of Springfield. 

Revolving Loan Fund

RLF funds provide low-interest loans to private parties and sub-grants to non-profit organizations for environmental remediation at eligible brownfields sites located within the city limits of Springfield. The interest rate for the loan will be calculated on a sliding scale relative to the length of the repayment term as demonstrated below:

     Interest Rate Schedule:

  • 0-5 years – 0% Interest
  • 5-10 years – 2% Interest
  • 10-15 years – 3% Interest 

RLF Funds may be used for, but are not limited to, the programmatic activities:

  • Site cleanup and remediation activities, such as:
  • Asbestos and lead paint abatement
  • Soil and groundwater cleanup
  • Petroleum cleanup
  • Risk-based mitigation (institutional controls, monitoring, health and safety plans).
  • VCP or State response program fees associated with the cleanup
  • Cost required to purchase insurance;
  • Expenses for making and managing loans and/or subgrants, operating the revolving fund, and financial management expenses;
  • Expenses for site cleanup activities, as in the case of subgrants to eligible entities and nonprofit organizations in remediation of brownfields.  

  • Pre-Application (PDF)
  • Full Application (PDF)
  • Policies and Procedures (PDF)

Missouri Brownfields / Voluntary Cleanup Program (BVCP)

The BVCP provides property owners with Missouri Department of Natural Resources oversight of cleanup activities and assures compliance with all State guidelines. Applicants pay for the BVCP's oversight costs, calculated at an hourly rate. Participation in the program is voluntary and applicants may withdraw at any time. When the BVCP is satisfied with the cleanup, the applicant is given either a Certification of Completion or No Further Action Letter. The department's Brownfields / Voluntary Cleanup Memorandum of Agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency states that a No Further Action Letter will be granted to the property owner at completion of the BVCP process.

Who to Contact

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Brownfields / Voluntary Cleanup Section
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Ph: 573-526-8913
Fx: 573-526-8922

Missouri Brownfield Redevelopment Program

The Missouri Brownfield Redevelopment Program is administered by the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Natural Resources. The program's purpose is to provide incentives for the redevelopment and revitalization of "environmentally challenged" properties. Financial incentives are available through the Missouri Department of Economic Development, while the Voluntary Cleanup Program oversees site cleanup.

By some estimates, 300,000 to 500,000 abandoned commercial and industrial properties dot the cities, towns and counties of the United States. Often with dilapidated buildings or weed-grown open spaces, these properties have come to be known as "Brownfields." The specter of hazardous chemical contamination has contributed to their abandonment by former owners, reluctance by lending institutions to provide financing for purchase and redevelopment, and avoidance of the properties by developers.

Development Issues

Some of this real estate lies in economically blighted neighborhoods in need of jobs, or in highly desirable redevelopment areas such as waterfronts. Despite the opportunities they represent, the sites remain vacant due to real or perceived hazardous substance contamination and the liability that contamination can bring.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

PACE - is a financing tool that allows property owner to borrow money for renewable energy and energy efficiency property improvements with no upfront cost. It is is a simple way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to buildings. PACE can pay for new heating and cooling systems, lighting improvements, solar panels, water pumps, insulation, and more for almost any property – homes, commercial, industrial, and agricultural. 

Who to Contact

Missouri Clean Energy District: 866-554-4083

Green Building

All projects receiving Brownfields Program Assistance are encouraged to incorporate sustainable practices into their redevelopment projects, business plans, and evaluate the potential for green building certification.

Green building trends are on the rise in Springfield and nationally, and provide numerous opportunities to improve the impacts of buildings on the environment and health. The benefits are even greater when green buildings are located on a former brownfields site where there is access to existing infrastructure, eliminating the need to use green-space on the outskirts of town, and the brownfields issues have been eliminated and are prevented from returning in the future.

EPA Strategy

EPA recently issued a new green building strategy to facilitate the mainstream adoption of green building practices. The strategy builds upon and calls for better coordination among existing programs, such as Energy Star and WaterSense, which are designed to reduce the impacts of buildings and development.

Statistics

Understanding the benefits of green building on people is important, as Americans spend nearly 90% of their time in buildings. Currently, buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of U.S. energy use and about 40% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, the primary greenhouse gas. But there are many opportunities to reduce these impacts in the buildings where we live, work and play.

Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources AuthorityMissouri Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority (EIERA) The EIERA provides loans and grants to eligible entities including private owners and non-profits for cleanup.

Who to Contact
State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority (EIERA)
P.O. Box 744
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Ph: 573-751-4919

Other City Resources & Financing Incentives
The City of Springfield Brownfields Program is part of the Planning Department Economic Development Office (EDO). Through a team of economic development professionals, the city offers personalized service to guide developers through the brownfields redevelopment process. In addition, the EDO administers a range of other economic development programs that can be applied to brownfields projects in many cases such as:

Additional Links