Tim Walberg: “I want to start by thanking the chairman, the ranking member, as well as committee staff for all of their hard work…”

“I want to start by thanking the chairman, the ranking member, as well as committee staff for all of their hard work bringing this bipartisan bill to the House floor today. Mr. Speaker, the EPA's brownfields program is an important grant program for the State of Michigan and, more specifically, the district I represent, Michigan's Seventh District. Because of Michigan's rich manufacturing history, there are a number of former industrial sites that are ripe for revitalization. These sites can range from large industrial manufacturing sites to local corner gas stations. This program provides communities the chance to take abandoned and vacant sites and once again turn them into economic assets, all the while cleaning up our beautiful environment. Just this summer, the EPA announced that the historic former Tecumseh Products site in Tecumseh, Michigan, received a $500,000 grant to revitalize this 53-acre industrial site. This $500,000 grant will go towards cleaning up the former manufacturing facility site and create more jobs in the process. In Monroe, the brownfields program played a key role in restoring land for the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, which is one of the leading historic attractions in our area, and one that I am delighted to say I was involved with former Congressman John Dingell in making an impact for this great district. The positive impact for these communities and many others is invaluable.…”