Posted 21 October 1999 Updated 10 January 2000 Team to encourage developers. Florida gets about 95 percent of its drinking water from groundwater, so even the perception of soil contamination is a serious issue. In a state where there is still much open space, a team has been formed to encourage developers to build on previously contaminated sites. The Department of Environmental Protection oversees cleanup. The Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development helps provide financial incentives.
Local governments work with their own communities to determine needs and wants.
The state s biggest lure allows developers to take a tax credit for 35 percent of their clean-up costs. This funding will be used to continue activities outlined in Clearwater's Environmental Protection Agency approved work plan. The identification and creation of jobs for residents in the Clearwater Brownfield Area through Career Options of Pinellas County. The creation of an economic model by the University of South Florida Center for Economic Management and Research to show the benefits of redeveloping Brownfield sites to the Community, City and the overall economy. The establishment of a Brownfield building block fund for continuing Brownfield redevelopment efforts including dollars for cleanup.