The City of Vicksburg to receive $960,000 grant from the EPA for cleanup of the former U.S. Rubber Site on Hwy 61 South

The Vicksburg Warren Chamber of Commerce recently announced that the City of Vicksburg is among 262 communities receiving grants totaling more than $215 million in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) grant programs. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the announcement as part of the more than $315 million investment from the Biden Administration’s “Investing in America” Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites across the country while advancing environmental justice.

The $960,000 grant required no match from the City of Vicksburg and will allow for the removal of approximately 30,000 tons of rubber waste, disposal of above-ground storage tanks and residues, as well as other waste materials, drums, and totes currently present at the site.

The grant will allow for the removal of approximately 30,000 tons of rubber waste, disposal of above-ground storage tanks and residues, as well as other waste materials, drums, and totes currently present at the site. (Photo by Keith Phillips)

Mayor George Flaggs stated, “On behalf of myself and the Board of Aldermen, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the U.S. EPA for recognizing the City’s redevelopment efforts with the award of this important Brownfield Grant. Our number one priority in the City of Vicksburg is the safety and overall well-being of our residents, and we are committed to making Vicksburg a clean and healthy place to live and visit. This grant helps us accomplish those goals by eliminating a brownfield that has represented a health risk for our community for far too long. In addition, this cleanup project will also open new opportunities for job creation for our residents. This is the true definition of a win-win for Vicksburg.”

“This grant comes at a perfect time for the City of Vicksburg and Warren County as we continue to advance our plans for the development of the new port on U.S. 61 South. The property that will benefit from this grant is an important asset that we have not been able to utilize due to the hazardous materials present. Now, with the support of the grant, the site will be cleaned up. Once the property is clean, it holds tremendous potential as it will be adjacent to the eastern boundary of the new port property and will have quick access to four-lane highways, rail, and the Mississippi River. We applaud the efforts of the City Council in supporting this application as it will greatly benefit our area’s economic development efforts,” said President and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership, Pablo Diaz.