Eastern Montana · EPA-Funded · Site Assessment & Cleanup

Brownfields Redevelopment

Abandoned buildings. Former gas stations. Old industrial sites sitting idle for years.

These properties aren't just a visual problem — they represent real environmental risk and lost economic opportunity for the communities around them.

GNDC leads the Eastern Montana Brownfields Coalition (EMBC), helping communities across eastern Montana assess, clean up, and redevelop properties burdened by real or perceived environmental contamination.

restore value to underused properties, remove barriers to redevelopment, and create stronger, healthier communities across eastern Montana.

The EPA defines a Brownfields site as a “real property where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated
by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."

In plain terms, if you own or are looking at a property that may have environmental issues from previous use, it could be a Brownfields site. Common examples include former gas stations, factories, dry cleaners, agricultural processing facilities, and vacant commercial buildings with an unknown environmental history.

You don't need to know for certain that there's a problem. If there's a perceived concern, that's enough to reach out.

What is a Brownfields site?

Who we work with

The EMBC program works directly with local governments, nonprofits, private landowners, and community leaders.

If you're a property owner, a developer, a city or county official, or a community organization looking at a site with potential environmental concerns, we can help.

Important note: If you're considering a property and wondering whether an assessment has already been completed, reach out before assuming.

Service Region

The Eastern Montana Brownfields Coalition covers 15 counties across eastern Montana and is comprised
of three economic development corporations: Great Northern Development Corporation (GNDC), Eastern
Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC), and Southeastern Montana Economic Development
Corporation (SEMED).

Southeastern Montana Development Corporation (SMDC)
Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, and Powder River Counties, including the Northern Cheyenne Reservation

Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC)
Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Fallon, and Carter Counties

Revitalizing contaminated properties. Supporting redevelopment opportunities across eastern Montana. In 2023, Great Northern Development Corporation, on behalf of the Eastern Montana Brownfields Coalition, was awarded EPA Revolving Loan Fund Cleanup grant to help communities and property owners address hazardous substances and petroleum contamination on eligible commercial properties throughout our region.

Whether preparing a property for redevelopment, removing environmental barriers, or supporting community revitalization efforts, this funding helps move projects from uncertainty to opportunity.

Eligible Cleanup Activities
Funding may support a variety of environmental cleanup needs, including:

Environmental professional and consulting services
Sampling and testing of potentially contaminated materials or site features
Cleanup and remediation activities required to address contamination

Funding Opportunities
Subgrants
Available for:

Cities and counties
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations

Subgrant awards are available up to $200,000 per site, depending on available funding. Projects with costs exceeding this amount may also qualify for supplemental RLF loan assistance.

Cleanup Loans
Flexible, low-interest loans are available for:

Local governments
Nonprofit organizations
Private commercial property owners

Loan terms are designed to meet the needs of individual projects and borrowers, helping make
redevelopment projects financially achievable.

EPA Revolving Loan Fund Cleanup Program

Ready to Discuss a Project?

Getting started is straightforward. Complete and submit the forms below to [email protected] — Karly will follow up with next steps.  

Getting started is simple. Complete and submit the forms below to [email protected] to begin the process.

Once your request is received, it will be reviewed for eligibility and consideration. If approved, all assessment activities will be coordinated on your behalf, including contractor procurement, project management, and communication throughout the process.

Our goal is to make environmental assessment services as accessible and straightforward as possible, helping communities and property owners move redevelopment projects forward with confidence.

Request for Assistance Form →<div><br></div>

(406)-653-2590 eXT 210

If you have a project idea or a funding question you're trying to work through, reach out!

The first step is just a conversation about what's possible. Karly can help you figure out whether your site is eligible and walk you through what the process would look like.