On Your MARC, Get Set, Go?

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced 149 awardees that will receive $64.6M for their Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan and Cleanup (MARC) projects.

CCLR congratulates the recipients from Regions 2, 9 and 10, particularly those 13 awardees whose applications CCLR peer reviewed, and whose awards total $6.59M. We’d also like to congratulate an additional 8 awardees, winning $5M, who CCLR has assisted over the past three years.

The competition for the grants was stiff as always — the success rate was approximately 34%. Contrast that with CCLR’s 59% rate, which at 72% was even higher for communities that took advantage of multiple reviews and feedback. To quote a few of our friends:

The CCLR team really helped us to understand what EPA was looking for in the grant application and their scoring rubric was invaluable. The team was quick, yet thorough with the reviews (yes plural – they reviewed our application multiple times for us). Next time we write a grant, we’ll definitely ask for the CCLR team’s winning touch.

-Olympia, WA

From the webinar to submission of the multipurpose application, CCLR was informative, responsive and downright amazing to work with. The constructive criticism and ability to turn around a thorough review in one day was remarkable, and really brought this project together. Without CCLR’s guidance, it is likely the application would not have been awarded.

– Panhandle Area Council, ID

CCLR was an invaluable resource throughout the grant application process. They were resourceful and swift with their support. Their assistance on the application was instrumental in helping us secure this cleanup grant. We are grateful for all the time and attention that CCLR devoted to our submission.

– Los Angeles, CA

These successes were made possible more generally by proactive communication on broad brownfield redevelopment objectives, and more specifically, early consultation on grant applications.

It is never too early to start planning for MARC 2020, or reaching out to CCLR on all things sustainable brownfields redevelopment. Whether you are within our EPA regions or not, we can find a way to help out!