BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The town of Stevensville, Michigan has been awarded a grant by the Environmental Protection Agency for brownfield assessment and cleanup.

A brownfield is any property where the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be hindered by contamination, and Stevensville is home to the site of the former Anstey Foundry.

The foundry closed in 2011, and remained vacant and deteriorating for over a decade, leading to structural decay. The site is contaminated with inorganic materials, making it unsafe for redevelopment without cleanup.

The lack of land suitable for development in the small town has led to losses for economic opportunities, employment, and a housing shortage.

The EPA awarded Stevensville a $733,250 grant to clean up and restore the former Anstey Foundry and support community engagement activities. 

5th District Representative Tim Walberg visited the foundry site and issued the following statement:

"The Brownfields Program has delivered millions of dollars to Michigan communities to help with economic development projects," said Rep. Walberg. "After having ongoing discussions with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding priorities in Michigan, I am pleased to see the Trump administration make this targeted investment in Stevensville, which will make a difference for our environment and encourage local job growth, providing more opportunities for hardworking Michigan families."