Narrative Information Sheet 1) Applicant Identification: Southern

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10441CorporateDrive,Suite1,Gulfport,MS39503|(228)868‐2311|Fax(228)868‐2550

914SullivanDrive,Hattiesburg,MS39401|(601)545‐2137|Fax(601)545‐2164

www.smpdd.com

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NarrativeInformationSheet

1) ApplicantIden tifica tion:

SouthernMississippiPlanningandDevelopmentDistrict

10441CorporateDrive,Suite1,Gulfport,Mississippi39503

DUNS:069386001

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2) FundingRequest: 

a) AssessmentGrantType:Community‐Wide

b) FederalFunds Requested:$488,000

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3) Location :

Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District’s (SMPDD) service area is the

following 15 counties and 38 municipalities in south Mississippi: Covington County: Collins,

MountOlive,andSeminary;ForrestCounty:HattiesburgandPetal;GeorgeCounty:Lucedale;

Greene County: Leakesville, McLain and State Line; Hancock County: Bay St. Louis,

Diamondhead,andWaveland;HarrisonCounty:Biloxi,D’Iberville,Gulfport,LongBeachand

PassChristian;JacksonCounty:Gautier,OceanSprings,MossPoint,andPascagoula;Jefferson

Davis County: Bassfield and Prentiss;  Jones County: Ellisville, Laurel, Sandersville and Soso;

LamarCounty:Hattiesburg,Lumberton,PurvisandSumrall;MarionCounty:Columbia;Pearl

RiverCounty:PicayuneandPoplarville;PerryCounty:Beaumont,NewAugusta;andRichton;

StoneCounty:Wiggins;andWayneCounty:Waynesboro.

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4) TargetAreaandPrioritySite/PropertyInformati on:

TargetAreas:

i. OldNorthLaurelNeighborhood(CensusTract9504.02)

ii. HattiesburgMobileStreet/TwinForksRisingCommunity(CensusTract107)

iii. PicayuneSouthside(CensusTract9507.02)

PrioritySites:

i. FormerCharityHospitalSite–105BuchananStreet,Laurel,MS

ii. FormerMeridianFertilizerSite‐East7

Street,Hattiesburg,MS

iii. FormerValsparSite–210CrosbyStreet,Picayune,MS

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5) Contacts:

a) ProjectDirector:

KristynGunter,SMPDDSpecialProjectsDivisionDirector

(228)868‐2311[email protected]

10441CorporateDrive,Suite1,Gulfport,Mississippi39503

b) ChiefExecutive/HighestRankingOfficial:

LeonardBentz,SMPDDExecutiveDirector

(228)868‐2311[email protected]

10441CorporateDrive,Suite1,Gulfport,Mississippi39503

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6) Population:

a) TotalPopulationServed:805,302

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b) Target Area Populations

: City of Laurel: 18,508; City of Hattiesburg: 46,098; City of

Picayune:11,040

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7) OtherFactorsChecklist:

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OtherFactors Page#

CommunityPopulationis10,000orless 

Theapplicantis, orwillassist,afederallyrecognized IndiantribeorUnitedStates

territory

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Theprioritybrownfieldsite(s)isimpactedbymine‐scarredland 

Theprioritybrownfieldsite(s)isadjacenttoabodyofwater(i.e.,theborderofthe

prioritysite(s)iscontiguousorpartiallycontiguoustothebodyofwater,orwould

becontiguousorpartiallycontiguouswithabodyofwaterbutforastreet,road,or

otherpublicthoroughfareseparatingthem).

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Theprioritysite(s)isinafederallydesignatedfloodplain Pgs1,2

Thereuseoftheprioritysite(s)willfacilitaterenewableenergyfromwind,solaror

geothermalenergy.

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Thereuseoftheprioritysite(s)willincorporateenergyefficiencymeasures. Pgs3,4

30%ormoreoftheoverallprojectbudgetwillbespentoneligiblereuse/area‐wide

planningactivities,asdescribedinSection1.A.,forprioritysite(s)withinthetarget

area.

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Thetargetarea(s)islocatedwithinacommunityinwhichacoal‐firedpowerplant

hasrecentlyclosed(2011orlater)orisclosing.

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8) Letterfr omtheStateofT ribalEn viron m entalAuthority:Attached

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9) ReleasingCopiesofApplications:Noportionsof thisapplicationareconsideredconfidential,

privileged,orsensitiveinformation.

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

https://www2.census.gov/programs‐surveys/decennial/2020/data/

2019ACS1‐YearEstimatesDetailedTables

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NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

1.PROJECTAREADESCRIPTIONANDPLANSFO RREVITALIZATION

1.aTargetAreaandBro w nfields

1.a.i.BackgroundandDescriptionofTargetArea

The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD) is submitting this Assessment Grant

proposaltoserveourimpoverished15‐countyarea(Covington,Forrest,George,Greene,Hancock,Harrison,

Jackson,JeffersonDavis,Jones,Lamar,Marion,PearlRiver,Perry,StoneandWayneCounties).Encompassing

roughly8,800squaremilessandwichedbetweentheOldChoctawline

establishedbytheTreatyofMt.Dexter

in 1805 and the Gulf of Mexico, the SMPDD service area was built on wood products, exporting, and the

seafoodindustry.Industrialmanufacturersandforestproductcompanieshaveenjoyedaccesstoourregion’s

resourcesandworkforce,butastheiroperationshaveclosed,wehavebeenleftwithseverallargeparcelsof

unusedandenvironmentallycomplexland.Mostofourserviceareaisconsideredruralandincludesthe15

southern‐most counties of the state and 38 municipalities, 66% of which have populations below 10,000

people, with over half (8) of our counties experiencing “persistent poverty”, including Forrest and Jones

Countieswhere2ofourtargetareasarelocated.Whilethisgrantproposalcoverstheentiregeographicarea,

SMPDDhasselectedthreetargetareas.StatisticsusedbelowarethemostcurrentdatafromtheU.S.Census

Bureau(2019),AmericanCommunitySurvey5‐yearestimates.

TargetArea1OldNorthLaurel Neighborhood(CensusTract9504.02):Westof theNorfolkSouthernRailline

fromNorthviewDrive runningsouthandeastalongHighway11intodowntownLaurelisroughly2.25square 

miles referred to as the Old North Laurel Neighborhood where sawmills, pole yards, and cabinet makers

employedtheworking‐classresidentsforoveracentury.TheCityofLaurelisthesecondcountyseatofJones

Countyandishometo18,508 people.Historically,Laurelwasathrivingloggingcommunityandculturalhub.

However,asisthestoryformanyMississippicommunities,throughoutthe1900s,jobsandsubsequentlythe

populationcontinuallydecreased.LaurelandJonesCountyhasanaffordablehousingcrisis.TheNationalLow‐

Income Housing Coalition estimates that there is a shortage of more than 43,000 affordable housing units

across the state of Mississippi. For Laurel, the Coalition estimates that about 30% of residents are cost‐

burdened by rent and nearly63% of extremely low‐income residents are severely cost‐burdenedby rent‐

spendingmorethan50%oftheirincomeonhousinginstea dofbasicnecessitiestolive.SMPDDhasidentified

oneprioritysite,theformerLaurelCharityHospital,thatrequiresadditionalenvironmentalassessmentandan

AnalysisofBrownfieldCleanupAlternatives(ABCA)inordertobeeligibleforeitheranEPABrownfieldCleanup

Grantor(hopefully)aBrownfieldCleanupLoanfromtheMDEQ(shouldMDEQsuccessfullywinanEPARLF

Grantthisyear).SMPDDhasalsoide ntifiedthreeotherlargetractsoflandinOldNorthLaurelNeighborhood

inneedofassessmentpriortoneighborhoodredevelopmentconsiderationbytheLaurelHousingAuthority

(LHA). They are the former Laurel Lumber property, the former Halliburton Energy Services site, and the

formerBoralBrickstract.Also,MDEQ’sUncontrolledSiteListindicates52identifiedbrownfieldsites,over150

USTsites,54ofwhichhaveclosed‐in‐placetanks,andinnumerableunderutilizedpropertieswithintheCityof

Laurel.

Target Area 2 Hattiesburg‐Mobile Street/TwinForks Rising Community (CensusTract 107): Hattiesburg was

foundedin1884asarailroadjunctionfortheregionallumberindustry.Heavymanufacturingdevelopedalong

the railroad corridor including lumber‐related industries (turpentine production and wood treatment

facilities),aswellasoilrefineries.RichinAfricanAmericanhistoryandculture,theMobileStreet/TwinForks

Rising area is a defined target area for Brownfield assessment funding. In 1964, the Council of Federated

Organizations(COFO)launchedMississippiFreedomSummerwithitsheadquartersat507MobileStreet.This

samepropertywastheheadquartersoftheMississippiFreedomDemocraticPartyandVictoriaJacksonGray’s

U.S.Senatecampaignheadquarters.TheFreedomSchoolsstartedinthelocalAfricanAmericanchurches,and

arecelebratedbyafamousToniMorris“BenchbytheRoad”.Historically,theMobileStreetareawastheonly

partoftownwheretheAfricanAmericancommunitycouldgototryonclothes.Thiscommunityhasbeenin

steady decline due to numerous challenges. Two devastating tornadoes in the last seven years,and

adownturnin commercial investments have resulted inpoorly‐maintainedstructures,increasedvacancies,

and abandonment.Socioeconomic challenges include a declining population (‐18.92% since 2010), and a

medianhouseholdincomeof$34,735,muchlowerthanthestateofMississippi($45,081).Basedonsevere

economicdistressexacerbatedbythedevelopmentchallengesfrombeinglocatedinafederally‐designated

floodplain, large sections of this area were designated as Qualified Opportunity Zone Tract 28035010700.

NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

SMPDDhasidentifiedtheformerMeridianFertilizerPlantasatargetsiteintheTwinForksRisingCommunity

thatrequiresadditionalenvironmentalassessmentpriortoredevelopment.

Target Area 3 Picayune – Southside (Census Tract 9507.02): Just north of New Orleans, across Lake

PontchartrainandthePearlRiver,isaplacecalled

Picayune,Mississippi.Whentherailroadcamethroughin

the1880’sthethenknowncommunityofHobolochittoturnedtoone ofitsprestigiousresidents  ElizaJane

PoiteventNicholson,betterknownbyherpenname“PearlRivers,”tonamethearea.Mrs.Nicholsonwasthe

ownerandpublisheroftheNewOrleans

DailyPicayunenamedafteraSpanishcoincalleda“picayune.”She

named the city after her beloved newspaper. With vast timber resources and the railroad, wood products

became the major driver of the economy. With wood products came wood treatment; and with wood

treatmentcameadefunctSuperfundsiteadjacenttoSouthsideElementarySchool.Onesignificantchallenge

for“Southside”involvesthestigmaonbrownfieldpropertiesaroundthePicayuneWoodTreatingSuperfund

Site.The32‐acreSiteclosedoperationsin1999 andhasbeen undergoinginvestigationand cleanupbythe

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)since2004. In2005,EPA’sSuperfundRedevelopmentInitiative

(SRI) supported a reuse planning a ssessment for the site. In 2013, soil cleanup was complete and EPA

sponsored a second planning process to update the future use plan based on current remedial features,

community goals, and surrounding land use. In addition, EPA’s Technology Innovation and Field Services

Division(TIFSD)sponsoredapilotprojecttodevelopaSuperfundenvironmentaleducationcurriculumforthe

adjacentelementaryschool.TheCityandSMPDDbelievethatanEPABrownfieldAssessmentgrantthatbuilds

upon the Superfund Site Reuse and Redevelopment plan will support EPA’s strategic priority of “making a

visibledifferenceinourcommunity”byassessingtheformerValsparPropertytargetsiteandmovingitfurther

towardreuse.

1.a.ii.DescriptionofthePriorityBrownfieldSite(s)

LaurelCharityHospital(former)–ACRES#121941,105BuchananStreet,LaurelBarelyvisiblefromthestreet

because of overgrowth, the Laurel Charity Hospital (105 Buchanan Street, ACRES #121941) currently sits

abandonedanddilapidated,hoveringovertheOldNorthLaurelNeighborhood.Thehospitalwasconstructed

in1917andwasspecificallycreatedtoservethepoorandindigent.Itconsistedof125bedsandprovideda

varietyofmedicalservicestoresidents.In1989,after72yearsofoperation,thehospitalwasclosedandwas

left abandoned.In theearly2000s, the building caught fire and partially burned down. Decades ofneglect

combinedwiththefirehavediminishedthestructuretomereruins.However,thathasn’tlesseneditsappeal

tothecommunity.PhaseIandIIEnvironmentalSiteAssessments(ESA)bytheCityofLaurelhaveconfirmed

asbestoscontainingmaterials(ACM)ispresentin therubbleofthisunsecuredsafetyhazard.Theone‐building

hospitalsits adjacent to a playgroundand is a stone’s throw from a low‐incomehousingproject. For years

localshavepassedonstoriesofhauntingsatthesite,whichhasresultedinsignificanttrespassingbychildren

andteens,whoeitherwanttotesttheircourage,vandalize,orlookforsouvenirs–whichpotentiallycontain

asbestos.Thisunrestrictedaccesspresentsasignificantpublichealthconcernespeciallytothoselivinginthe

adjoininglow‐incomehousingdevelopmentbecauseoftheunstableandunsafeconditionofthestructureand

thefactthatfriableACMisscatteredthroughout.Acompletesiteassessment,includingadeterminationof

the extent of asbestos in the soils surrounding the site and an Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives

(ABCA)isneededbeforetheLaurelHousingAuthorityandalocaldeveloperapplytotheMDEQBrownfield

RevolvingLoanFund(RLF)orMDACapitalImprovementsRLF.

MeridianFertilizerPlant(former)–ACRES#97101,East7

Street,HattiesburgTheprioritybrownfieldsitein

theMobileStreet/TwinForksRisingCommunityistheformerMeridianFertilizerPlantsitelocatedonEast7



Street, adjacent to the Canadian National Rail Road line. The approximately 13‐acre site, located within a

federallydesignatedfloodplain,wasoncehometotheMeridianFertilizerFactoryfrom1902until1963,when

thefacilitywaspurchasedbyMississippiChemical.Thesiteoperatedasafertilizerstorageandmixingfacility

untilitclosedin1988,thenwasusedasabuildingmaterialsalvageoperation.Historicrecordsindicatethe

formerpresenceofmultipleundergroundstoragetanksandasulfuricacidtankonthesite.Limitedassessment

workhasbeenconductedonthenorthernportionofthesitethatindicatesaneedforfurtherassessmentof

the current arsenic levels found in the soil. Portions of the site are currently utilized as a homeless

encampment,potentiallyexposingourmostvenerablepopulationto arsenicandotherunknownhazardous

substances.AnupdatedPhaseIandadditionalPhaseIIassessmentworkisneededtodeterminethefullscope

andscaleofcontaminationoftheentiresiteaswellascleanupplanningandreusestrategyvisioningtoallow

thesitetoberedevelopedasanintegralpartoftheplannedCultural,Arts,andInnovationDistri ct.SMPDD’s

NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

currentFY19BrownfieldAssessmentgranthasidentifiedanadditional28sitesforpossiblefutureassessment

withmorebeingsubmittedbythepublicandprojectstakeholdersonaregularbasis.

Valspar Property (former)‐210 Crosby Street, PicayuneThe priority brownfield sitein the Southside

community is the Valspar 17‐acre city‐

owned property. Prior to taking ownership of the property in

September, 2021, the City conducted All Appropriate Inquiry which included a Phase I ESA. Recognized

EnvironmentalConditions(RECs)havebeenidentified.Thesitewaslistedasa largequantitygeneratorfrom

the years 1998 to 2015, with the hazardous waste generated

 or handled that included volatile organic

compounds, ignitable waste, corrosive waste, and heavy metals. The adjacent Picayune Wood Treating

Superfund Site is currently under remedial action  and continues to stigmatize the Valspar and other

brownfieldsintheSouthsidecommunity.Agravelcompany,currentlylocatednextdoortotheformerValspar

site,wouldliketoexpanditsoperati onandiscurrentlynegotiatingalease‐purchaseagreementwiththeCity,

withtheneedforaPhaseI(update)andPhaseIIESApriortotakingownershipofthesite.

1.b.Revitalizationof th eTargetArea

1.b.i.RedevelopmentStrategyandAlignmentwithRevitalizationPlans

TargetArea1OldNorthLaurelNeighborhood:In2015,LHAanditsdevelopmentpartner,withthecooperation 

andsupport of the City of Laurel developedamulti‐phase Master Plan toprovideaffordablehousingunits 

withintheOldNorthLaurelNeighborhoodasstrategyforredevelopingtheareaaroundthedilapidated,tax

forfeitedformerLaurelCharityHospital.Soonthereafter,theCityofLaurelconductedaPhaseIESA,followed

by an asbestos inspection/survey to align with the LHA’s revitalization plan. In 2016, the Mississippi Home

Corporationprovided Low‐income Housing TaxCredits for PhaseI  of thePalisadesPark, whichincluded 16

units adjacent to the dilapidated former Charity Hospital. On July 13, 2017, the Governor of Mississippi

approvedthetransferofthetaxforfeitedformerLaurelCharityHospitaltotheLaurelHousingAuthorityas

thefirststepinsecuringthesitewithplansunderPhaseIItoincludeasbestosabatementand“demolitionand

disposal,accordingtotherecommendationsoftheenvironmentalasse ssment,ofallexistingstructureruins,

undergrowth, asphalt, concrete, etc.” and “construction of what will become Palisades Park [Phase II],

consistingofeightquadplexbuildingscontainingthirty‐twoenergyefficientunitsofsinglefamilyap artments

designed as a lease to own development for low to mod erate income families in compliance with and

accordingtotheregulationsoftheLIHTCaward.”

TargetArea2HattiesburgMobileStreet/TwinForksRisingCommunity:TheTwinForksArea2013MasterPlan,

arevitalizationplanforthecommunity,specificallyidentifiedtheMeridianFertilizerPlantprioritysiteasan

environmentalthreattothecommunity,andindicatedthatMDEQintendedtocompleteaPhaseIIESA.The

final Twin Forks Rising Phase III Master Plan (July 2018) calls for the establishment of a Cultural, Arts, and

Innovation District, drawing on the community’s roots as a culturally rich African‐American community.

Thisvisionrequiresrepurposingvacantspaceandunderutilizedproperties.

TargetArea3Picayune“Southside”:InMarch2009,theCityofPicayunecompletedits30‐Yr.MasterPlanwhich

includesgoalsinvolvingtheSuperfundsiteandthestigmatizedbrownfieldssurroundingit.Theplanincludes

theadaptivereuseoftheSuperfundsitetoserveasabufferbetweentheresidentsofSouthsideandthelight

industrialandcommercialdevelopmentsandbrownfieldslik eValspar,thevacantformerHondadealer,and

theHwy11AutoServiceCenter.InJanuary2013,Cityrepresentativesexpressedinterestinacquiringthesite

ownership of the Superfund Site from the State and determining reuse goals for the site itself, as well as

brownfieldsandothervacantspaceswithintheSouthsideneighborhood.DuringaworksessioninJune2013,

citystaffandstakeholdersidentifiedgoalstoguidefutureuseplanningfortheareawhichincludedafocuson

connectivity,greenspace,trailsandassetsthatsupporthealthylivingforthesensitivepopulationsthatlive,

work, and playaround the brownfield sites. The  Reuse  ConceptPlan further stated that “the concept plan

belowillustr ateshowthereusegoalscouldbeintegratedonthesitetoalignwithremedialconsiderationsand

other site characteristics. Once implemented, this concept plan will benefit the community by providing

recreationalandcommunityamenitiesthatconnectthesitetodowntownandsurroundingneighborhoods.

Thefutureuseof theadjacentValsparproperty(currentlyforsale)maypresentadditionalopportunitiesfor

supportingthereuseconceptplangoals.”

1.b.ii.OutcomesandBenefitsofRedevelopmentStrategy

ThisgrantwillbenefitdisadvantagedcommunitiesasdefinedbytheJustice40initiativebecauseboththeOld

NorthLaurelNeighborhoodCensusTract9504.02andHattiesburgMobileStreet/TwinForksRisingCommunity

NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

CensusTract107areconsideredinpersistentpoverty

with40.3%and36.1%belowpovertylevelrespectively.

Assessment of the brownfield properties located in  these areas will support the existing community

revitalizationplansincludingenergyefficienthousingunits,greenspace,andwalkingtrails.

OldNorthLaurelNeighborhood:InaletterdatedJune2,2017totheStateofMississippirequesting

thetransfer

ofthetax forfeitedformerLaurelCharityHospital,theLHAclearlyidentifiesthattheredevelopmentstrategy

will result in the “construction of what will become Palisades Park [Phase II], consisting of eight quadplex

buildingscontainingthirty‐twoenergyefficientunitsofsinglefamilyapartmentsdesignedasaleaseto

own

developmentforlowtomoderateincomefamiliesincompliancewithandaccordingtotheregulationsofthe

LIHTCaward.”RedevelopmentoftheLaurelCharityHospitalsitealignwiththeLHA’scurrentdraftgoalsfor 

neighborhoodplansincluding:expandtheexistinghousingsupply,improveconnections,utilizedevelopment

as a catalyst, improve community access, enhance streetscape design and functionality, position

redevelopmentasanamenityforall,andleveragemunicipalinvestments.

HattiesburgMobileStreet/TwinForksRisingComm unity:TheBrownfieldprioritysitewasspecificallyidentified

byMDEQin2018assignificantthreatstohumanhealthandtheenvironment.First,assessmentwouldidentify

theenvironmentalandhealththreats.Second,redevelopmentwillbedrivenbythenewlyestablished(2017)

Twin Forks Rising Community Development Corporation (TFR CDC). In 2018 Hattiesburg seeded TFR CDC

$300,000toensuretheirviabilityanddemonstratecommitmenttocomprehensiveredevelopmentoftheTFR

area.TFRCDChassuccessfullycreatedtheTFRQualifiedOpportunityZoneFundI(thefirstinthestate)and

combinedwithnewmarketandlow‐incometaxcredits,aswellaslocalfinancialtaxvehicles,willaggressively

pursuequalifieddeveloperstoimplementredevelopmentprojectssuchastheCultural,Arts,andInnovation

District.TFRCDCisplanningnewmulti‐familyhousingandinfill‐singlefamilyhouses,includinggreenspaceand

pocket parks on vacant and blighted properties in the target area, and is partnering to deliver career and

businessskillsbuildingprogramstoimprovethepoolofhumancapital.

Picayune“Southside ”:Oneobvious outcome fromthe assessment ofthe Valsparpropertyis to putthe site

backonthetaxrollswhichwould providepropertytaxrevenuethatisnot beinggeneratedduringalease‐

purchaseduediligenceperiod.Oncethepropertyisinprivatesectorhands,thepropertyownerwillbemore

likelytomakeimprovementsandthepropertycanbeusedascollateralforthesecapitalimprovements.

1.c.StrategyforLeveragingResources

1.c.i.ResourcesNeededforSiteRe‐use

SMPDDiseligibletoapplyfortheEPABrownfieldRevolvingLoanFundgranttofacilitateredevelopmentof

sites assessed through this program. In addition, the grant will stimulate availability of funds through the

following established programs. These Mississippi programs provide leverage funding opportunities for

environmentalremediationatBrownfieldsitesandarecoordinatedbyMDEQ.Privatedevelopersandthose

interestedinredevelopmentofthetargetbrownfieldsitesareeligibletoapplyfortheresourceslistedbelow.

Theseadditionalfundingsourcesandincentivescan helpoffsettheadditionalcostsassociatedwithbrownfield

redevelopment due to cleanup and other hurdles. The Mississippi Economic Redevelopment Act promotes

redevelopment by incentivizing clean‐up of contaminated property. Brownfield assessment and

redevelopmentplanningcanleadtoapprovalofaremediationplanbyMDEQ.Afterthat,theprogramallows

sales, income and franchise taxes to be deposited into a special fund used to reimburse developers for

approvedcleanupcosts. Brownfieldassessmentandredevelopmentplanningcanalsoincentivizeparticipation

intheMississippiBrownfieldsProgram.Byenrollingintheprogram,apropertyownercangetanincome tax

creditequalto25%ofthecostsofassessment,investigation,remediation,monitoring,andrelatedactivities

ataBrownfieldagreementsite,withtheannualcreditcappedat$40,000,andthetotalcreditnottoexceed

$150,000. The property owner may claim a job tax credit for each new employee created as a result of

redevelopment. The program also offers CERCLA liability protection. SMPDD operates a Commercial

RevitalizationProgramthatallowsprivatedevelopers/propertyownerstoapplytothelocalgovernmentfora

redevelopment grant/tax reimbursement to incentivize the reuse/redevelopment of existing, vacant

commercialbuildings.Thefundingfortheredevelopmentgrant/taxreimbursementscomesfromthegeneral

fundof theparticipatingmunicipalityandisbasedontheoverandaboveincreaseinsalesand/orpropertytax

that results from the redevelopment/reuse project. These funds are paid from the municipality to SMPDD

2019:ACS5‐YearEstimateSubjectTables



NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

throughaTri‐PartyAgreement.TheRevitalizationProgramcanbeusedtoreimbursetheimprovementsmade

toboththeexteriorandinteriorofprivatebuildingsthatresultintheimprovedappearanceandfunctionality

oftheblighted/vacantcommercialproperties.

1.c.ii.UseofExistingInfrastructure

Allidentifiedtargetareasandprioritysiteshaveaccessalongcitystreetnetworksandhaveaccesstoexisting

municipalpotablewater,sewer,electrical,naturalgas,andgarbagepickup.

2.COMMUNITYNEEDANDCOMMUNITYENGAGEMENT

2.a.CommunityNeed

2.a.i.TheCommunity'sNeedforFunding

AccordingtomostcurrentdatafromtheU.S.CensusBureau/AmericanCommunitySurvey(ACS)Demographic

and Housing Estimates 2015‐2019, Mississippianshavethe lowestmedian household income in the nation

($45,792)andinallthreeofthethreeBrownfieldtargetareas,themedianhouseholdincomeisevenlowe r

thanthestate's(Laurelat$31,968, Hattiesburgat$34,735,and Picayuneat$30,006). Notsurprisingly, the

poverty rate in Mississippi (19.6%) also greatly exceeds the national average of 12.3%, and Laurel (31.3%)

Hattiesburg (32.5%) and Picayune (33.3%) poverty rates all exceed the state's rate by about 1.5 times.Of

themunicipalitieswithinSMPDD'sservicearea,66%havepopulationsbelow 10,000people.Thesesmall,poor

communities do not have surplus f unds or the ability to draw on oth e r sources of funding to implement

environmentalassessorremediationandsiteredevelopment.Furthermore,SMPDDisnotataxingauthority

anddoesnothavesurplusfundstoassessthebrownfieldsiteslocatedwithinour15Countyservicearea.

2.a.ii.ThreatstoSensitivePopulations

2.a.ii(1)HealthorWelfareofSensitivePopulations

Duetothesmallpopulationswithinthetargetareas,thereisnospecificdataavailableforgreater‐than‐normal

incidence of disease or conditions associated with exposure to hazardous substances, pollutants,

contaminants,orpetroleum.However,healthrisksduetodirectcontact orinhalationorvaporintrusionof

the contaminants associated with thebrownfield sites in the target areas typically include cancer, asthma,

liverandkidneydamage,andprematuredeath.AssubsetsofthestateofMississippi,thethreetargetareas 

reflecttheworst of the state’sdesperatecondition, especially for children, pregnantwomen, minority and

low‐incomecommunities.Thestateisrankedlast(#50)inalloutcomes accordingtoAmerica’s2020Health

Rankings (United Health Foundation) and ranks #50 in infant mortality, #50 in low birthweight, #49 in

cardiovasculardeaths, #49inprematuredeath,#50 in obesity,#49in diabetes,and#48 in cancerdeaths

.

Mississippihasthesecondhighestpercentofbirthstounmarriedmothersandthehighestpretermbirthrate,

accordingtotheNationalCenterforHealthStatistics.America’sHealthRankingslistsMississippiashavinga

highpercentageofchildreninpovert y(27.8%,#50),ahighmortalityrateamongwomenages20‐44andalow

prevalenceoffoodsufficiencyamongchildren.Mississippiisranked#50inpercentageofchildrenages0‐17

with asthma, #50 in neonatal mortality, #50 in economic resources for women, #49 in unemployment for

womenandwearerankedlastforwomenlivinginpoverty.Mississippiisevenrankedlastforchildrenwith

neighborhoodamenitiesat only 16.2% compared to thenationalaverage of 37.4%.The health,socialand

economicfactorsforwomenandchildreninthestateofMississippiandourtargetareasisabysmal.SMPDD

believesthatassessmentofthebrownfieldpropertieslocatedwithinthesecommunitiesisastepintheright

directiontosolvingthiscrisisandraisingthequalityoflifeforourmostsensitivepopulations.

2.a.ii(2)GreaterThanNormalIncidenceofDiseaseandAdverseHealthConditions

Statistics National State

MillTown,

Laurel,

JonesCo

TwinForks,

Hattiesburg,

ForrestCo

Southside,

Picayune,Pearl

RiverCo

BirthDefects 3%

 2.3% 3.9% 2.7% 1.2%

Asthma

 7.0% 9.7% n/a n/a n/a

Cancer(cases/100,000people)

 436 471.4 462.9 498.3 511.7

PeopleofColorPopulation

 23.7% 40.9% 62% 92% 53%

https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/Overall/state/MS

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/data.html

CDC–2018datafromtheNationalEnvironmentalPublicHealthTrackingNetworkephtracking.cdc.gov



U.S.CancerStatisticsDataVisualizationsTool,basedon2020submissiondata(1999‐2018):U.S.DHHS,CDCandNationalCancerInstitute;www.cdc.gov/cancer/dataviz,released06/21.



EJSCREENStandardReport,ACS2014‐2018fortractleveldata;NationalandStateinformationfromcensus.gov/quickfacts2019populationestimates



NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

Low‐incomePopulation

 33% 43% 48% 70% 56%

Unemployment

 4.6% 4.7% 4.7% 4.8% 4.9%

DeathsofDespair

(deaths/10,000ppl)

 45.27 36.4 51.41 42.92 40.02

2.a.ii(3)PromotingEnvironmentalJustice

The high and disproportionate percentage of people in the target areas suffering from chronic health

conditions,povertyandunemploymentasnotedaboveplaceaheavyburdenonthemandthecommunities

in which they live, so much so that no one has the ability to prioritize and fund the identification and

assessmentoflocalenvironmentalproblemsandblight.It’sadownwardspiral.Forexample,whenpotential

developersseethebrownfieldsaroundtheSuperfundsiteinPicayunetheywalkaway,disgusted,andmany

nearbycommercialpropertieshaveclosedandremain shutteredduetothefearofSuperfund.Thecompletion

ofPhaseIoflow‐incomehousingadjacenttothedilapidatedformerLaurelCharityHospitalfulfillsoneofthe

City’sdreamsforrevitalization oftheOld NorthLaurelNeighborhood,butchildren fromthe neighborhood

playgroundhaveeasyaccesstofriableasbestosandtheunsafeconditionof theremainsofthestructurepose

a real and significant threat to the vulnerable populations within the low‐income housing de velopment.

According to the most recent report from the MS Department of Health, Jones County, where the Charity

Hospital is located, has a 3.9% rate of birth defects, disproportionally higher than the state and national 

averagesof2.3%and3.0%respectively.ResidentsofJonesCountyalsoexperienceadisproportionaterateof

deathsofdespairfromsuicide,drugoverdoseandalcoholismof51.41deaths/10,000peoplecomparedtothe

nationalaverageof45.27deaths/10,000people.Deathsofdespairarelinkedtojobloss,unemploymentand

hopelessnessthathappenswhenpeopledon’thaveopportunities,oftenexacerbatedbybrownfieldsinthe

community.Environmental concerns about the abandoned industrial sites in the Hattiesburg Mobile

Street/TwinForksRisingCommunityhindertheredevelopmentplansthattheTFRCDChasworkedsohardto

create.Theseissuescanbetangiblyaddressed,however,throughassessmentandredevelopmentplanning

providedbythisgrant.

2.b.CommunityEngagement

TheSMPDDhasasuccessfulhistoryofcommunityinvolvementfromourFY2019EPABrownfieldGrantwhich

willserveastheframeworkforthisgrant.Partnershipshavebeensoughtwithspecificgroupswhoarealready

engagedinthetargetareas.Recently,SMPDD’sBrownfieldactivitiesintheHattiesburgareawerehighlighted

onTheDelgadoReportwhichwasbroadcastonthelocalradioandCouncilwomanDelgado’sFacebookpage.

TheLHACharityHospitalAdvisoryCommitteemeton11/17/21todiscussthefindingsandstepsforwardfor

completingtheircurrentmasterplanningeffortsforthetargetsite.Thefollowingorganizationsrepresenta

widearray ofpartners,manyofwhich aremembersof ourBrownfieldsSteeringCommittee (BSC), andare

excitedtosupportthisgranteffort.Theseprojectpartnerswillbeengagedfromtheoutsetandcontinuously

throughout the grant period to identify sites, discuss cleanup alternatives, and engage the community on

potentialredevelopmentoptions.

2.b.i.ProgramInvolvement

ListofProjectPartners–morewillbeaddedastheprogramprogresses

PartnerName PointofContact SpecificRoleintheProject

MSDepartmentof

EnvironmentalQuality

ThomasWallace601‐961‐5240

[email protected]

Technicalassistance,QAPPreviewand

approval,establishcleanupcriteriafor

sites

CityofLaurel JohnnyMagee,Mayor

601‐428‐6401

BSC,communityengagement,

redevelopmentplanning

LaurelHousing

Authority

AilrickYoung,ExecutiveDirector

601‐425‐4651

OwnerofLaurelCharityHospital

targetsite,BSC,redevelopment

planning,communityengagement

JonesCountyEconomic

DevelopmentAuthority

RossTucker,President&CEO601‐

649‐3031,[email protected]

Siteselection,futureredevelopment

planning,recruitinvestorsfortarget

arearedevelopmentopportunities

https://mdes.ms.gov/media/23357/labormarketdata.pdf



WellBeingintheNationNetwork,2018https://www.winmeasures.org/statistics/winmeasures/mississippi/health



NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

QuadelConsulting,LLC DemetriaSimpson,ProjectDirector

317‐656‐8808

ConsultantcreatingtargetsiteMaster

Plan,communityengagement,

redevelopmentplanning

CityofHattiesburg DebraDelgado,Councilwoman225‐

921‐0656,

[email protected]

Siteselection,community

engagement,reuseplanning

CityofHattiesburg AndrewEllard,Community

DevelopmentDirector(601)454‐4609

[email protected]

BSC,siteselection,community

engagement,reuseplanning,local

incentives

TwinForksRising

Comm.Development

Corporation

Ms.AndreaGraham,Directorof

ExternalAffairs(601)818‐9275

[email protected]

Communityengagement,reuse

planning

ForrestCounty DavidHogan,PresidentCountyBoard

ofSupervisors601‐543‐9194

[email protected]

BSC,localincentives,cleanupplanning

CityofPicayune LarryBreland,Residentand

CommunityLeader601‐798‐9770

[email protected]

Siteselection,community

engagement,reuseplanning

CityofPicayune HarveyMiller,OperationsManager

601‐798‐9770

[email protected]

BSC,siteselection,community

engagement,reuseplanning

PearlRiverCounty

EconomicDevelopment

District

LindsayWard,Director

(228)861‐8260,

[email protected]

Siteselection,localandstate

incentives,reuseplanning

2.b.ii.IncorporatingCommunityInput

TheBSC,consistingofSMPDDstaff,andthekeyprojectpartners,willlea daCommunityOutreachProgram

thatwillinform,updateandsolicitcommunityinput.ACommunityInvolvementPlanwillbepreparedatthe

startoftheproject.TheprimarycommunicationtoolwillbeaBrownfieldProjectwebsite,whichwillinclude

details of important project milestones, such as consultant selections, site inventory lists, assessment and

cleanupresults,andplannedredevelopment.Itwillsharecommunity meetings,pressreleases,andproject

partners, and facilitate receiving input by providing contact information and feedback forms. The BSC will

solicitsiteinventoryinputsfromprojectpartnersandresidentgroupsthroughprivateandpublicmeetings.

Additionalinputsfromthecommunitywillbeinvitedthroughtownhallpresentations.Meetingswillbeheld

inpersonfollowingCDCCOVID‐19guidelineswhenpossible,butvirtualmeetingswillbeusedtobeinclusive.

Projectpartnerswillhelptoadvertiseandpopulatethemeetingsandpresentations.Stakeholderinterviews

will be anot her important tool used to gather community inputs and feedback. To communicate project

progress and gather feedback, the BSC will meet with project partners and residents’ groups at relevant

milestones,asneeded.UpdateswillbegivenatCityCouncilmeetings,intownhallmeetings,on community 

partners’websitesandsocialmediapages,throughpressreleasestolocalnewspapers,andviatheBrownfield

Projectwebsite.Flyerswillbemailedtothose residentsandbusinessesmostcloselyaffectedbytheproperties

inthisproject,especiallyinlow‐incomeareaswhereInternetaccessislimited.Communityfeedbackwillbe

solicitedwithallprojectupdates,andwillbetakenviaface ‐to‐facemeetings,electronicmeetings,phonecalls,

emails,andwebforms.QuestionsandconcernswillbeaddressedbytheBSC,bythemostappropriateproject

partnerinatimelymanner.

3.TASKDESCRIPTIONS,COSTESTIM ATES,ANDMEASURINGPROGRESS

SMPDD has carefully evaluated and planned activities to ensure they are eligible for reimbursement and

appropriatetoprojectgoals.Wewillprioritizethesitesinthetargetareasbeforeassistingothers.Wewilluse

ourextensivein‐housegrantmanagement,planning,andeconomicdevelopmentskills,andaccesstoother

partnerresourcestoaugmenttheEPAgrantfundstospurredevelopmentinourjurisdiction.Wehavealready

taken proactive steps to demonstrate our commitment to effective use of brownfield funds by soliciting

dedicatedandexperiencedPartners,communicatingwithBSCmembers,andcommittingourownresources

totheeffort.Nohealthmonitoringactivitiesareplannedaspartofthisbrownfieldsprojectatthistime,but

NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

theneedforsuchactivitieswill beevaluatedbasedonthefindingsofplannedenvironmentalassessments.

Sections3.a.i,3.a.ii,3.a.iii,and3.a.ivhavebeenconsolidatedinthefollowingtables:

Task1.ProgramManagement

i.ProjectImplementation ii.AnticipatedProjectSchedule

GrantoversightandcorrespondwithEPA Ongoingthroughoutproject

DevelopandmonitortheGrantWorkPlan Quarter1(Q1),updatedasneeded

Finalizescopeandtermswithenvironmentalprofessional

selectedthroughqualifications‐basedselectionprocess;

KickoffMeetingwithProjectPartnersandcontractorsto

finalizeagreements,anddiscussrolesandexpectations

Q1

ACRESupdates Attheendofeachmonth,andasneeded

Financialtrackingandreports Attheendofeachmonth,annualreports

Annualreports Q4,Q8,Q12

Finalreport Q12

Attendtwobrownfieldsconferences Q1andQ5

iii.Task/ActivityLead:SMPDD,withreportingassistancefromQEP

iv.Outputs:GrantWorkPlan,36monthlyreports,3annualreports,1finalreport

Task2.SiteInventoryandCom munityOutreach

i.ProjectImplementation ii.AnticipatedProjectSchedule

EstablishaCommunityInvolvementPlan Q1,updatedasneeded

HoldmeetingswithpartnersandMDEQtoreviewsites,

environmentalrecords,reusepotential,developerinterest,

andgoalsalignment

Asneeded

Siteinventory,selection,andprioritization Q1,updatedmonthly

Attendcommunitymeetings Q1,Q2,moreasneeded

Preparecommunityeducationalmaterials(pressreleases,

flyers/mailers)

Asneeded

Websiteandsocialmediawork Websiteandsocialmediaaccount

integrationestablishedinQ1,updatedas

needed

Collectandrespondtocommunityfeedback Continuouslyasneeded

iii.Task/ActivityLead:BrownfieldsSteeringCommittee(includesSMPDDstaff)

iv.Outputs:BrownfieldsProjectwebsite,6communitymeetings,5pressreleases,5flyers,siteinventory

Task3.PhaseIandPhaseIIEn viron mentalSiteAssessments(ESAs)

i.ProjectImplementation ii.AnticipatedProjectSchedule

CreateQualityAssuranceProject

Plan(QAPP)

Q1

Conduct15PhaseIESAs(3Priority

Sitesplus12additionalsites)

BeginaftersiteinventoryisapprovedbytheBSC.PrioritySites

completedbyQ4.Additionalsitescompletedthroughouttheproject

andcompletedbyQ10.

Conduct9PhaseIIESAs BeginafteraPhaseIiscompleted.PrioritySitescompletedbyQ4.

Additionalsitescompletedthroughouttheproject.Allcompletedby

Q11.

iii.Task/ActivityLead:QEPwithSMPDDoversight

iv.Outputs:1QAPP,15PhaseIESAs,9PhaseIIESAsincludingSiteSpecificQAPPs

Task4a.CleanupPlanning

i.ProjectImplementation ii.AnticipatedProjectSchedule

Identifycleanupoptionsandcosts BeginafteraPhaseIIiscompleted.PrioritysitescompletedbyQ5.

AllcompletedbyQ12.

Develop4AnalysisofBr ownfields

CleanupAlternatives(ABCAs)

Beginaftercleanupidentificationiscompleted.Prioritysites

completedbyQ5.AllcompletedbyQ12.

NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

iii.Task/ActivityLead:QEPwithSMPDDoversight

iv.Outputs:4ABCAs

Task4b.EligiblePlanningActivities

i.ProjectImplementation ii.AnticipatedProjectSchedule

Create2SiteReuse

Assessments/SiteDisposition

Strategies

BeginafterassessmentandABCAiscompletedandmayinclude

eligiblereuseplanning,infrastructureevaluation,orsitedisposition

strategy.Allactivitiescompletedbymid‐Q12.

iii.Task/ActivityLead:SMPDDStaffwithQEPsupport

iv.Outputs:2SiteReuseAssessment/SiteDispositionStrategies

3.b.CostEstima te s

CostestimatesweredevelopedfromourexperiencewithourexistingFY19EPABrownfieldAssessmentGrant.

Costestimatesforimplementingthetasksanticipatedtobeassociatedwiththisprojectarepresentedinthe

belowtable,followedbyadetailedexplanationofhowthecostswerederived.Allcontractualcostspresented

belowarequotebased.



Program

Management

Community

Outreach

PhaseI&II

ESAs

Cleanupand

ReusePlanning

Total

DirectCosts

Personnel $18,000.00 $9,000.00‐0‐ $12,000.00 $39,000.00

FringeBenefits(29%) $5,670.00 $2,835.00‐0‐ $3,780.00 $12,285.00

Travel $6,900.00‐0‐ ‐0‐ ‐0‐ $6,900.00

Supplies‐0‐ $1,993.75‐0‐ ‐0‐ $1,993.75

Contractual $22,500.00 $15,000.00 $357,500.00 $20,000.00 $415,000.00

TotalDirectCosts $53,070.00 $28,828.75 $357,500.00 $35,780.00 $475,178.75

TotalIndirectCosts(25%) $5,917.50 $2,958.75‐0‐ $3,945.00 $12,821.25

TotalBudget $58,987.50 $31,787.50 $357,500.00 $39,725.00 $488,000.00

Task1:ProgramManagement

PersonnelCosts:CooperativeAgreementandFinancialManagement–300hrsatavg$60/hr=$18,000

TravelCosts:2staffx2conferencesx $1,725/conference=$6,900,includesflight($600),hotel($175/night

for4nights),meals($75/dayfor4days)andregistration($125)

ContractualCosts:36monthlyreports,3annualreports,andfinalreporting=$22,500

Task2:CommunityOutreach

PersonnelCosts:meetings,outreach,andfeedback‐150hoursataveragerateof$60/hr=$9,000

SuppliesCosts:BSC/communitymeetingpresentationmaterials=$1,993.75

ContractualCosts:meetings,outreach,web/socialmedia,flyersandpressreleases=$15,000

Task3:PhaseI&IIESAs

ContractualCosts:GenericQAPPforPhaseIIESAs=$5,000.15PhaseIESAsatavgcostof$4,000ea=$60,000.

9PhaseII ESAsataverageof$32,500ea=$292,500.EachwillincludeSSQAPP,Sampling&AnalysisPlan,Health

&SafetyPlan,PropertyEligibilityDetermination,AAIChecklist.

Task4a:CleanupPlanning(QEP) 

ContractualCosts:identificationofcleanupoptionsandcosts,and4ABCAsat$4,000ea=$16,000

Task4b:Reu sePlanning (SMPDD Staff)

PersonnelCosts:ReuseAssessmentandPlanning200hoursataveragerateof$60/hr=$12,000

ContractualCosts:AssistwithengineeringaspectsofReuseAssessment/SiteDispositionStrategyfor$4,000

3.c.MeasuringEnvironmentalResults

SMPDD will develop a project work plan with a milestones and deliverables chart to track and measure

progress. Project management will be managed with software to assist tracking efforts. A budget will be

developed to set cost expectations for each project task. Costs will be tracked monthly to ensure project

progressisinlinewithspendingandbudgets.SMPDDwillrequiretheselectedenvironmentalprofessionalto

provideascheduleofmilestones,budgetsanddeliverableswithmonthlyupdatestointegrateintomonthly

project tracking. Updates will be provided to EPA via the ACRES database. Whe n measures or timeline

milestonesarenotbeingmet,theprojectmanagerwillmeetwithEPA,projectpartnersandtheenvironmental

professionaltoevaluateproblems,findsolutions,andidentifystepstoregaintimelinelossesand/oradjustthe

NARRATIVE–FY22EPABrownfieldAssessmentApplication

SouthernMississippiPlanning&DevelopmentDistrict

projectasneededtomeetexpectations.ESAswillbecompletedasearlyintheprojectaspossibletodetermine

ifthereisextracapacityforadditionalsitesinthetargetareasandothercommunitiesintheSMPDD15‐County

area. The outputs defined in the project plan will be tracked and entered into ACRES on a monthly basis.

SMPDDwillalsotrackoutcomestofacilitateEPA’sStrategicPlan.Outcomessuchasthenumberandsizesof

sites made available for reuse, jobs created, dollars leveraged, local government use, greenspace made

available,energyefficiencymeasuresimplemented,and morewillbeenteredintoACRES.Problemswillbe

reportedimmediatelyandprojectmanagementwillrealigntheprojectplanasneededtoredirectworkand

getbackontrackefficiently.

4.PROGRAMMATICCAPABILITYANDPASTPERFORMANCE

4.a.Programmatic Capability

Sections4.a.i,4.a.ii,4.a.iii,and4.a.ivhavebeenconsolidatedinthefollowingsection:

4.a.i. Organizational Capacity, 4.a.ii. Organizational Structure, 4.a.iii. Description of Key Staff, and 4.a.iv.

AcquiringAdditionalResources‐SMPDDstaffhasanextensiveandproventrackrecordofmanagingFederal

and State funded programs for a multitude of agencies. We have historically met all grant requirements

becauseweturnedinourreportsontime,achievedthegoals,andmetthetermsandconditionsofthegrants

thatwehavemanagedandimplemented.SMPDDstaffroutinelymanagesover$25Mannuallyinfederaland

state funded programs, from inception to closeout, and has the capacity to carry out the programmatic,

administrativeandfinancialrequirementsoftheBrownfieldAssessmentgrant.SMPDDstaffwilloverseethe

implementation of the project. Environmental assessments, community outreach and engagement, and

redevelopmentplanningwillbeledbytheprocuredcontractorwithsupportfromSMPDDstaff.KristynGunter,

ProjectDirector,servesastheSpecialProjectsDivisionDirectorforSMPDDandwillserveastheBrownfield

Project Manager for SMPDD. She is a Qualified Environmental Professional, working as an environmental

consultant for 14 years, conducting Phase I and II ESAs, prior to coming to SMPDD. She has served as the

BrownfieldGrantProjectManagerforSMPDD’sFY19EPABrownfieldAssessmentGrant.AllisonHawkins,isthe

Economic/Workforce Development Division Director  for  SMPDD, leading the department since 2001. With

over20 yea rs of work experience ineconomicandcommunity development, Ms.Hawkinswill oversee the

eligible brownfield planning activities. She will also assist with communityengagement. MaryLaRosa is the

ChiefFinancialOfficerforSMPDDandwillcontinueherrolewithmanagingthefinancialaspectsofthegrant

(invoicing, ASAP drawdowns, audit documentation, etc.). She is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified

InternalAuditorandoverseesallfinancialaspectsoftheagencyincludingc ompliancewithallfederalandstate

regulationsforthe$28Minfundingreceivedannually.AdditionalSMPDDstaffarequalifiedandavailableas

necessary. SMPDD will follow a competitive selection process including a public Request for Qualifications,

weightedfactors such as qualifications and relevant experience; merit  of proposer's scope of services; and

inclusionofDBEs,incompliancewith2CFRPart200and2CFRPart1500.Shouldadditionalcontractorsbe

required,thesameprocurementprocesswillbefollowed.

4.b.PastPerformanceand Accomplishments

4.b.i. Currently Has or Previously Received an EPA Brownfields Grant SMPDD was awarded an Assessment

GrantundertheFY19grantcycle,BF‐00D94719‐0intheamountof$300,000.00.

(1)AccomplishmentsTodate,wehaveconductedfive(5)PhaseIESAs,one(1)PhaseIESAupdate,one(1)

Phase II ESA and one (1) Supplemental Phase II Assessment, which included the removal of 2 abandoned

underground storage tanks that resulted in one (1) No Further Action Letter (NFA). An Infrastructure

Evaluation wascompletedfor one (1) site. All accomplishments are accurately reflectedinACRES.Another

PhaseIIESAiscurrentlyunderway.

(2)CompliancewithGrantRequirementsSMPDD’scurrentassessmentgrantperiodis10/01/19‐09/30/22.As

of 10/01/21, $211.092.65 (70.4%) of the grant funds had been drawn down and distributed with 29.6% of

grant funds remaining. To date, 87.6% of the grant expenses incurred through 09/30/2021 have been

expended on direct assessment activities. We anticipate continuing to expend funding on this trend. Site

assessments,cleanupplanning,andcommunityengagementeventswillcontinuethroughthisfinalyearofthe

existinggrant.

THRESHOLD CRITERIA RESPONSE – FY22 EPA Brownfield Assessment Application

Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District

Attachment A

Threshold Criteria Responses

THRESHOLD CRITERIA RESPONSE – FY22 EPA Brownfield Assessment Application

Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District

III.B. Threshold Criteria for Assessment Grants

Below are the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District’s (SMPDD) Threshold Criteria

Responses for the Community-Wide Assessment Proposal.

III.B.1. Applicant Eligibility

SMPDD is a designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization serving the southern 15 counties of

the state of Mississippi. SMPDD, formerly known as the Southern Mississippi Economic Development

District, was formed in 1966 for civic improvement and economic development, housing and other

benevolent and/or charitable activities.

SMPDD was designated as a “Regional Clearinghouse” by the Office of the Governor of the State of

Mississippi by letter dated December 15, 1969, according to Title IV of the Intergovernmental

Cooperation Act of 1968 and OMB Circular A-95. Executive Order number 81, dated June 11, 1971

designated the 15 county region as a Planning and Development District.

Documentation of our eligibility is included on the following page.

THRESHOLD CRITERIA RESPONSE – FY22 EPA Brownfield Assessment Application

Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District

III.B.2. Community Involvement

The SMPDD has a successful history of community involvement from our FY2019 EPA Brownfield Grant

which will serve as the framework for this grant. Partnerships have been sought with specific groups

who are already engaged in the target areas. Recently, SMPDD’s Brownfield activities in the Hattiesburg

area were highlighted on The Delgado Report which was broadcast on the local radio and Councilwoman

Delgado’s Facebook page. The LHA Charity Hospital Advisory Committee met on 11/17/21 to discuss

the findings and steps forward for completing their current master planning efforts for the target site.

The following organizations represent a wide array of partners, many of which are members of our

Brownfields Steering Committee (BSC), and are excited to support this grant effort. These project

partners will be engaged from the outset and continuously throughout the grant period to identify sites,

discuss cleanup alternatives, and engage the community on potential redevelopment options.

Partner Name

Point of Contact

Specific Role in the Project

MS Department of

Environmental Quality

Thomas Wallace 601-961-5240

[email protected]

Technical assistance, QAPP review

and approval, establish cleanup

criteria for sites

City of Laurel

Johnny Magee, Mayor

601-428-6401

BSC, community engagement,

redevelopment planning

Laurel Housing

Authority

Ailrick Young, Executive Director

601-425-4651

Owner of Laurel Charity Hospital

target site, BSC, redevelopment

planning, community engagement

Jones County

Economic

Development

Authority

Ross Tucker, President & CEO 601-

649-3031, rosst@edajones.com

Site selection, future

redevelopment planning, recruit

investors for target area

redevelopment opportunities

Quadel Consulting, LLC

Demetria Simpson, Project Director

317-656-8808

Consultant creating target site

Master Plan, community

engagement, redevelopment

planning

City of Hattiesburg

Debra Delgado, Councilwoman 225-

921-0656,

ddelgado@hattiesburgms.com

Site selection, community

engagement, reuse planning

City of Hattiesburg

Andrew Ellard, Community

Development Director (601) 454-

4609 [email protected]om

BSC, site selection, community

engagement, reuse planning, local

incentives

Twin Forks Rising

Comm. Development

Corporation

Ms. Andrea Graham, Director of

External Affairs (601) 818-9275

graham@tfrcdc.org

Community engagement, reuse

planning

Forrest County

David Hogan, President County

Board of Supervisors 601-543-9194

[email protected]rest.ms.us

BSC, local incentives, cleanup

planning

City of Picayune

Larry Breland, Resident and

Community Leader 601-798-9770

[email protected]

Site selection, community

engagement, reuse planning

City of Picayune

Harvey Miller, Operations Manager

601-798-9770

[email protected]

BSC, site selection, community

engagement, reuse planning

Pearl River County

Economic

Development District

Lindsay Ward, Director

(228) 861-8260,

lward@pearlrivercounty.net

Site selection, local and state

incentives, reuse planning

THRESHOLD CRITERIA RESPONSE – FY22 EPA Brownfield Assessment Application

Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District

The BSC, consisting of SMPDD staff, and the key project partners, will lead a Community Outreach

Program that will inform, update and solicit community input. A Community Involvement Plan will be

prepared at the start of the project. The primary communication tool will be a Brownfield Project

website, which will include details of important project milestones, such as consultant selections, site

inventory lists, assessment and cleanup results, and planned redevelopment. It will share community

meetings, press releases, and project partners, and facilitate receiving input by providing contact

information and feedback forms. The BSC will solicit site inventory inputs from project partners and

resident groups through private and public meetings. Additional inputs from the community will be

invited through town hall presentations. Meetings will be held in person following CDC COVID-19

guidelines when possible, but virtual meetings will be used to be inclusive. Project partners will help to

advertise and populate the meetings and presentations. Stakeholder interviews will be another

important tool used to gather community inputs and feedback. To communicate project progress and

gather feedback, the BSC will meet with project partners and residents’ groups at relevant milestones,

as needed. Updates will be given at City Council meetings, in town hall meetings, on community

partners’ websites and social media pages, through press releases to local newspapers, and via the

Brownfield Project website. Flyers will be mailed to those residents and businesses most closely affected

by the properties in this project, especially in low-income areas where Internet access is limited.

Community feedback will be solicited with all project updates, and will be taken via face-to-face

meetings, electronic meetings, phone calls, emails, and web forms. Questions and concerns will be

addressed by the BSC, by the most appropriate project partner in a timely manner.

III.B.3. Named Contractors and Subrecipients

SMPDD does not currently have a named contractor or subrecipients for this grant.

• Contractors – Not Applicable. SMPDD intends to acquire additional resources under this grant

and will follow a competitive selection process including a public Request for Qualifications,

weighted factors such as qualifications and relevant experience; merit of proposer's scope of

services; and inclusion of DBEs, in compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1500. Should

additional contractors be required, the same procurement process will be followed.

• Subrecipients – Not Applicable.

III.B.4. Expenditure of Existing Grant Funds

SMPDD was awarded an Assessment Grant under the FY19 grant cycle, BF-00D94719-0 in the amount

of $300,000.00. SMPDD’s current assessment grant period is 10/01/19-09/30/22. As of 10/01/21,

$211.092.65 (70.4%) of the grant funds had been drawn down and distributed with $88,907.35 (29.6%)

of grant funds remaining. Documentation of the expenditure of existing funds is provided on the

following page.

III.C. Additional Threshold Criteria for Site-Specific Proposals Only

Not applicable

III.D. Additional Threshold Criteria for Community-wide Assessment Grants for State and Tribes Only

Not applicable