Brownfield authority authorizes consultant to reapply for EPA assessment grant, budgets $5,000 for application

The Benton Harbor Brownfield Redevelopment Authority voted Jan. 8 to have its contracted consultant, Fishback, prepare and submit a U.S. EPA fiscal year 2026 assessment/cleanup-planning grant application and to pay Fishback $5,000 for the application work.

Teresa Searls of Fishback told the board the Authority narrowly missed funding in the prior round but that debriefing information gives a clearer roadmap this year. Fishback said the application window closes Jan. 28 and that the grant, if awarded, would provide about $400,000 over multiple years for assessment and planning activities (the grant covers assessments and planning only; it does not pay for construction or job training).

Board members expressed concern about the short timeline and asked whether Fishback had adequate time to prepare a competitive application. Searls said she would prefer more time but that her team could work to assemble the necessary materials in the compressed window and that Fishback had previously prepared successful applications for other clients.

After discussion, a motion to authorize Fishback to prepare the EPA application and to allocate $5,000 for the consultant’s application fee (payable whether or not the grant is awarded) was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Staff said the grant technically must be submitted through the city because the board does not have a separate unique entity identifier, but administration of any award would be through the Brownfield Authority.

Next steps: Fishback will work with city staff and board members to finalize application materials, collect priority-site information and submit the application before the Jan. 28 deadline.