[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=46276.62

City seeks EPA funds
MICHIGAN CITY - The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission on Friday said it was preparing proposals for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Assessment Grant and an Indiana Brownfields Program Assessment Grant for the former Josam Foundry at 1302 U.S. 12.

Michigan City is seeking funds that will enable the city to continue to address the environmental issues associated with the eastern portion of the property.

In September 2005, Michigan City was awarded an EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant and an Indiana Brownfields Program Federal Matching Grant for the remediation of contaminated soils at the former Bensz Facility at the southwest corner of E Street and Trail Creek.

The cleanup of contaminated soils at the former Bensz Facility was completed in summer 2007.

In September, Michigan City received a U.S. EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant and Indiana Brownfields Program Federal Matching Grants for the remediation of contaminated soils at the former Erincraft Facility and the former Norfolk and Western Railroad Property at the northeast corner of East Michigan Boulevard and East Eighth Street.

Soil cleanup activities at these brownfield properties are anticipated to be conducted next summer.

Draft copies of the grant proposals can be reviewed at City Hall Planning Office from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7. The public may comment on the proposals until the end of the business day on Nov. 10. Final proposals are to be submitted to the U.S. EPA by Nov. 14.

For more information, contact John Pugh, executive director of the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission at 873-1419 or e-mail johnp@emichigancity.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=47894.09

More cleaning slated for former Josam Foundry site

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A $100,000 state grant will be used for an environmental assessment of the former Josam Manufacturing Foundry, 1302 U.S. 12, with additional funding from the city.

The Michigan City Common Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to accept funds from the Indiana Finance Authority, and authorized the city to invest 75 percent of the grant amount - $75,000 - in property cleanup within three years, as stipulated in the state grant agreement.

Council member Angie Nelson introduced the resolution and said the $75,000 will be provided by the city and the Michigan City Economic Development Corp. The city sold seven acres of the 14-acre Josam site to Pioneer Lumber in October 2003 and proceeds will be used for cleaning up the remaining property, Nelson said.

"Pioneer holds an option to purchase the remaining site once we can clear IDEM (Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management) regulations," Nelson said. "Once we clean it up, it will be sold."

The grant from the Indiana Finance Authority allows the city to address the environmental issues associated with the eastern portion of the Josam property.

The 210,000-square foot Josam foundry, established in the early 1900s, was used for sand mold and metal casting. At one time it employed 1,100 workers. When the company filed for bankruptcy in 1980, some 600 employees lost their jobs.

Federal Stimulus Funds

The council also approved a resolution, introduced by councilman Ron Meer, encouraging the city to spend federal stimulus funds, whenever possible, to purchase products made in the United States and to employ residents of La Porte County on projects. Jim Hennessey spoke in favor of the resolution on behalf of the United Steel Workers Local 1191, representing workers in Michigan City and La Porte.

Cops Hiring Recovery Program

The Michigan City Police Department was authorized by the council to pursue funding for three entry-level police officers through the Cops Hiring Recovery Program, a competitive grant initiative.

The grant would pay for salaries and benefits for the three officers for three years, and the city would be obligated to pay for an additional year of service.

The ordinance was co-sponsored by Marc Espar and Angie Nelson, and Nelson pointed out that the police department is authorized to have 90 officers and currently has 85. With new hires and the grant-funded positions, the city police force would total 93.

The closing date for CHRP grant applications is April 14.

[lovethiscity]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=47894.09

1302 U.S. 12 does not seem to excist, and the former Josam property is owned by the East 12 Business Center LLC. Why can the city apply for clean up funds for this private held property but not for the Weber property while owed privately?