State Rep. Bronna Kahle today announced $45,000 of state assistance has been awarded to the Village of Britton to test for potential soil or groundwater contamination at the site of a former grain elevator.

“Protection and clean-up of our community’s environment and water sources is a top priority for me,” said Kahle, of Adrian. “I am glad to see continued partnership between our state and local communities to proactively mitigate sites of potential contamination. The Michigan House has stood behind this important program to ensure that pollution is rooted out at the source and the land is remediated and put back into productive use.”

The funds are provided through the Brownfield Redevelopment Program, which is administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). Funds are available to local governments to help revitalize abandoned properties and return them to tax rolls, attract developers to brownfields, or avoid urban sprawl by reusing properties with existing infrastructure.

According to EGLE, the grant will help Britton determine whether past uses of the grain elevator contaminated the soil or groundwater. Grain elevators typically store bulk herbicides and pesticides for sale to farmers, which could result in contamination of the surrounding soil and groundwater. Before the property can be redeveloped it must be assessed for any contamination.

“I am glad to see the potential for growth in development in our local Lenawee County community,” Kahle said. “I am pleased to support programs like the Brownfield Redevelopment program that help bring jobs and investment home.”