Louisiana Awarded $4.5 Million in Brownfields Grants to Advance Community Revitalization Efforts Across the State

BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is proud to announce that the state has been awarded a combined $4.5 million in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the 2026 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Program.

Brownfields are properties where redevelopment may be complicated by the presence of environmental contamination. Through partnerships with local governments, community organizations, developers, and property owners, LDEQ’s Brownfields Program works to remove barriers to redevelopment and return these properties to beneficial use.

EPA’s MAC Grant Program provides recipients with funding support to identify, assess, clean up, and redevelop Brownfield properties — helping to transform underutilized and potentially contaminated sites into productive assets that benefit local communities, encourage economic growth, and protect public health.

“This significant federal investment in Louisiana reflects the strength of our Brownfields Program and the incredible work being done across our state to revitalize communities,” LDEQ Secretary Courtney J. Burdette said. “We are grateful to the EPA for its continued partnership, and we look forward to working with our local partners to transform these investments into lasting opportunities for our communities.”

As part of the funding announced by EPA, LDEQ was will receive a $2 million Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant for States and Tribes to conduct environmental assessments and Brownfield planning activities at vacant and underutilized properties to facilitate their reuse. Initial efforts will focus on the City of Lafayette and the towns of Homer and Washington to build on the momentum created through established partnerships between LDEQ’s Brownfields Program and local entities. Other sites throughout the state may also be eligible for assistance. Other Louisiana recipients of MAC funding include:

• The City of Shreveport, which was awarded a $1 million Brownfields Multipurpose Grant with a focus on the Cross Bayou Area-Ledbetter Heights District.
• Delta Agricultural Research & Sustainability District, which was awarded a $1.5 million Brownfields Assessment Grant to assist with sites in City of Ferriday, Lake.

This brings the total federal Brownfields investment in the FY2026 MAC competition in Louisiana to $4.5 million. The funding will build upon decades of successful Brownfields efforts across Louisiana that have helped communities transform vacant, abandoned, and underutilized properties into housing, commercial developments, and other community assets.

“These investments give communities throughout our state resources to address environmental challenges at blighted properties, supporting locally driven revitalization efforts as they cultivate brighter futures for their residents,” said Rebecca Otte, Louisiana Brownfields Program manager. “Every successful Brownfields project begins with strong partnerships, and we’re excited to continue improving the quality of life in these communities through this additional funding.”

Since it was established, EPA’s Brownfields Program has invested billions of dollars nationwide to assess, clean up, and redevelop contaminated properties, including over $270 million in Brownfields grants in the FY2026 MAC competition. Across Louisiana, Brownfields projects have supported community revitalization efforts that reclaim historic properties, create jobs, and boost local economies. To learn more, please visit www.deq.louisiana.gov/brownfields.