Rotarian Kerri Watson-Blaisdell, Program Hostess, introduces Jay Kamm, Northern Maine Development Commission who makes a point during the Brownfields Program presentation.

Jay Kamm, Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), recently spoke concerning the northern Maine Brownfields Program. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website provides the following Brownfields definition and benefits statement:

 

“Brownfields are ‘Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.’ Essentially a Brownfield site is a property where re-development is impeded because of contamination, real or perceived. The key benefits of Brownfields redevelopment include:

  • The protection of public health and the environment through cleanup of commercial/industrial properties
  • Slowing of ‘urban sprawl’ by encouraging reuse of properties
  • Increased tax revenues
  • Use of existing infrastructure (e.g. roads, rail, water, sewer)
  • The creation of new jobs; and
  • The revitalization of declining commercial/industrial based communities”

Jay noted that while the NMDC Brownfields Program is a multi-level assessment program conducted over time, several County properties have been through the program and are now being used to provide services and employment opportunities within their communities.