The brownfields initiative is focusing on environmental sustainability, MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell said.
LUDLOW — The Ludlow Mills redevelopment project is the only project in Western Massachusetts to be included in the third round of funding from the state’s Brownfields Support Team initiative, state Rep. Thomas M. Petrolati, D-Ludlow, said.
Petrolati said the project was included partly because of its size.
“This is huge,” he said.
He said there is no dollar amount included at this point. “Professional services will be used to identify problem areas, and more resources will follow,” he said.
Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, who first launched the intiative with Gov. Deval Patrick in 2008, said the Brownfields Support Team is an effective collaborative approach that brings together state, local and federal agencies to help advance and accelerate the redevelopment of major brownfields sites across the state.
The team has helped to deliver more than $18 million in funding to accelerate cleanup, streamline progress to overcome technical roadblocks and reuse more than 300 acres of valuable property in the state for community and economic development.
The Ludlow Mills project has already received a $200,000 brownfields clean-up grant from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection.
Westmass Area Development Corporation used the funding to begin removing asbestos from old mill buildings on the site.
Kenn W. Delude, president of Westmass, said the Ludlow Mills redevelopment project is the largest brownfield mill redevelopment project in New England.
He said the remediation funds helped attract HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts which broke ground last summer on a new $27 million rehabilitation hospital at the site.
Delude said, “We thank Gov. Patrick, Lt. Gov. Murray and our legislative delegation for their continued support and assistance.”
He added, “As one of the largest brownfield mill redevelopment projects in New England, the Ludlow Mills project will significantly benefit from the inter-disciplinary work of the BST to address complex and complicated aspects of this project as we work to revitalize the site, retain and grow jobs, and improve the regional economy.”
MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell said the brownfields initiative is focusing on environmental sustainability and clean energy. He said the sites will incorporate solar, geothermal and other clean energy elements into the future design and redevelopment of the parcels.