HomeMy WebLinkAbout50. 17-165 MARCH 28, 2017 17-165 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 7-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: OPPOSE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR
U.S. EPA BROWNFIELDS GRANTS
INITATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, funding by U.S. EPA of Brownfield Grants is instrumental for
economic development in the State of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, the proposed budget for U.S. EPA includes a 44% reduction in
Brownfield Grants from EPA ($25 million(2016) reduced to$14 million(2018)) and a 31%
reduction in Brownfield State Grants from EPA ($48 million(2016) reduced to$33 million
(2018)); and
WHEREAS, since 1998, Brownfield Grants awarded by the State of Wisconsin
totaled $121.4 million to assist brownfield investigation, cleanup and redevelopment, a
total of$162 million when local and Federal brownfield specific incentives are included;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh has benefited from these grants for projects
including the Marion Road Redevelopment Project, the Leach Amphitheater project and
scattered sites prior to demolition; and
WHEREAS, these grant programs funded by U.S. EPA are key to successful
brownfield redevelopment in the City of Oshkosh and in the State of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS,in 2015, the University of Wisconsin Whitewater(Fiscal and Economic
Research Center)was commissioned to prepare a report entitled The Economic and Fiscal
Impact of Wisconsin's Brownfields Investments (the "Economic Report") for the
Wisconsin Economic Development Association and the Wisconsin Economic
Development Institute which included the following economic findings regarding the
important economic contributions provided by brownfield development and the
importance of State and Federal investments to generate these economic benefits:
MARCH 28, 2017 17-165 RESOLUTION
CONT'D
➢ One-time impacts — state investments, coupled with local government
investments and federal brownfield assistance, have generated $3.3 billion
in direct total investments/construction for $6 billion in direct and indirect
investment in completed and underway brownfield projects.
➢ Ongoing economic output — economic activity associated with the
businesses now occupying completed projects amount to $4.4 billion direct
(or $7.6 billion direct and indirect) in state-wide economic output.
➢ Permanent jobs—as indicated in the report, a total of 29,883 direct new and
retained permanent jobs (or 54,483 direct and indirect jobs) were generated
in assisted complete or underway brownfield projects. Project representing
an additional 9,107 jobs are planned; thus the total pipeline is 38,990 direct
permanent jobs.
A complete copy of the Economic Report can be located at the following link:
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Brownfields/documents/bsg/uwwreport.pdf.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the City of Oshkosh opposes any reduction in U.S. EPA funding of these
grants and believes strongly that the levels of grant assistance should be kept at the 2016
level in order to support the future economic development of brownfields projects in the
City of Oshkosh and State of Wisconsin.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy
of this resolution to each member of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation.