Brownfields 2025
Revitalizing Communities Through Brownfield Redevelopment
Mission West Community Development Partners is dedicated to transforming underutilized and contaminated properties into vibrant assets. Our Brownfield Program provides expertise and resources to assess for environmental contaminants and plan for redevelopment, fostering economic growth and environmental health across Lake, Sanders and Mineral Counties.
Brownfields: Definition, Role, and Regional Focus
What are Brownfields?
Brownfields are properties whose redevelopment is complicated by the presence or perception of environmental contamination. Addressing these sites is crucial for community well-being and economic vitality.
Mission West's Role
Mission West helps property owners and communities overcome these challenges by providing expertise and resources to assess for environmental contaminants and plan for redevelopment, transforming liabilities into opportunities.
Counties Served
Our Brownfields Program serves Lake, Sanders and Mineral Counties, offering focused, regional support for site assessment and planning efforts.
Impacts of Brownfields
When left idle, brownfield properties can lead to health concerns for humans and animals, environmental worries, reduced property values, underused infrastructure, and potential lawsuits.
Our Key Project Goals
Our core objectives for the Brownfield Community-Wide Assessment Program are focused on strategic revitalization and economic growth in our service area:
- Develop an inventory of brownfields properties from which properties will be prioritized and assessed in a streamlined and cost-effective manner.
- Support redevelopment into affordable housing and improve the appeal of tourist corridors to stimulate economic growth.
Brownfield Program Funding & Assistance
Through our U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funded Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Program, we assist with environmental site assessments and redevelopment planning for properties in Lake, Sanders and Mineral Counties that may be contaminated with petroleum and hazardous substances.
Assessment Funding (No Cost to Site Owner)
Our EPA grant funds pay for environmental site assessments to determine the nature and extent of contamination. Site assessments are completed by qualified environmental professionals, are voluntary and are no cost to the site owner.
Site Inventory and Prioritization
We collaborate with community partners in Lake, Sanders and Mineral Counties to develop an inventory of potential and existing brownfields for future environmental assessments, clean up and redevelopment.
Partnership Development
Connecting stakeholders with environmental consultants, developers, and other partners essential for successful brownfield revitalization.
Community Engagement
Facilitation of community meetings and workshops to gather input and ensure redevelopment projects align with local needs and visions.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS (RFQP)
Mission West Community Development Partners is soliciting qualifications and proposals from Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) registered to do business in Montana to provide assessment services for our EPA Brownfield Grant Program.
PROPOSAL DUE DATE:
October 31, 2025 by 5:00 pm MT
(Deadline for submitting questions is October 15, 2025.)
Property owners seeking free assessment services should use the eligibility form located immediately below the FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are examples of Brownfields sites?
Examples of Brownfields Sites include, but are not limited to:
- Former gas stations and auto repair shops
- Pesticide/herbicide/chemical handling facilities
- Landfills and illegal dump sites
- Industrial manufacturers and warehouses
- Dry cleaners and wood treatment facilities
- Gravel pits
- Buildings containing asbestos, lead-based paint, or other hazardous building materials
- Properties that may have been used to produce methamphetamine
What is the purpose of a site assessment?
Environmental site assessments determine the nature and extent of contamination. These assessments can be used to satisfy purchaser concerns, regulatory agency requirements, or simply to determine whether environmental contamination exists on a property.
Can you help me with clean-up costs?
Our brownfields program does not have funding for supporting clean-up costs at this time. We can discuss your project and determine if there are potential funding streams for assisting with your site.
What is the assessment process?
The typical assessment process involves the following steps:
- Determine Eligibility (Process to be developed once RFQP is complete)
- Complete Phase I and/or Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
- Estimate site contaminant risks
- Estimate clean-up costs, if needed
- Develop conceptual cleanup or reuse plans