PIDC Awarded $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant to Advance Revitalization along the Lower Schuylkill River

by PIDC
June 16, 2025

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PIDC is proud to announce that the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID), a municipal entity through which our organization manages land and buildings for itself and on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, has been awarded a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—the maximum grant amount available.

This funding allows us to identify and address environmental challenges of contaminated properties, supporting redevelopment that will create jobs and help make Philadelphia cleaner for everyone.

What Is a Brownfields Assessment Grant?

Brownfields Assessment Grants provide funding for communities to inventory, characterize, assess, and plan for the cleanup and reuse of properties potentially contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or petroleum. These funds also support community engagement to ensure redevelopment efforts support people from all backgrounds and are aligned with neighborhood goals.

How Will We Use the Grant?

The Brownfields Assessment Grant will support two key initiatives:

1. Lower Schuylkill Innovation Campus Revitalization

Using the funds from the grant, PAID will conduct assessments of key parcels of the Lower Schuylkill Innovation Campus, a prime location for advanced manufacturing and quality job creation. PIDC has led a long-term effort to transform 60+ acres of vacant industrial land in Southwest Philadelphia into development sites intended to support a mix of uses including modern industry, public trails, affordable housing, and community-based organizations. PIDC has already made significant strides in preparing the sites for development, including ongoing site clean up and infrastructure improvements and an extension of the Schuylkill River Trail.

2. Environmental Impact Program (EIP)

Launched in 2023, our Environmental Impact Program (EIP) supports businesses that are acquiring property to grow their businesses. The grant will allow PIDC to cover the cost of environmental assessments for some of our borrowers purchasing commercial real estate. These assessments are a necessary part of the process but can be a cost prohibitive expense that can often be a barrier to purchasing property. This support helps businesses save money while performing needed due diligence on their properties.

A Strategy for Resilient Growth

Our reuse strategy is rooted in the belief that former industrial and other potentially contaminated sites can be transformed into engines of economic growth. By preparing these sites for redevelopment, we help create family-sustaining jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, and protect the environment.

This work is consistent with ongoing planning efforts for our city, including the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s development plan, Philadelphia2035, which focuses on reusing former industrial and underused land to boost the economy and support community health.

We’re grateful to the EPA for this opportunity and proud to continue our work to build a greener and community-centered Philadelphia.

Catalyzing Development

Discover how PIDC is driving transformative redevelopment and fueling job creation across the city.

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