The city has received $500,000 in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
According to the EPA, the federal funds are designed to pay for environmental investigation and historical reports for commercial properties where development is being considered.
“This critical funding will help the city attract investors that might otherwise shy away from certain parcels because of unknown environmental considerations,” Rossi said. “People interested in a commercial parcel for development can contact the city and apply for 100% funding of the Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessment reports.”
Armed with the report information on potential or actual contamination, buyers and sellers can make informed decisions and arrive at fair market value, said Grant Coordinator Doug Colter, who secured the funding for the city.
“Our hope is that properties that have sat off the market for many years will take advantage of this program to define what contamination there is, if any, and return the property to its full economic value,” Rossi said.
Those interested in the program should contact Colter at dcolter@westhaven-ct.gov.