This becomes an economic development concern when developers and lenders alike focus on suburban and ex-urban, or greenfields, sites, which are not polluted. Cities may lose businesses, jobs, and tax revenues as a result. Cities have the opportunity to begin or enhance revitalization projects, drawing more people and thus more money to the urban core of the community. Property values will rise in relation to the values before redevelopment occurred. Income taxes will increase from the use of properties, as well as additional sales tax revenue from the business that is generated.
Local governments can play active roles in facilitating and financing brownfields redevelopment.
Local government can facilitate development, provide technical assistance to developers and non-profit groups, and conduct proactive land assembly. In brownfields finance, economic development programs can be implemented. Temporarily acquiring property, giving incentives to lenders, and allowing tax incentives for vacant land are successful techniques that have been employed by cities across the country. The Environmental Finance Center at Boise State University will provide information to those communities interested, and has organized brownfields workshops for both the southeastern and southwestern regions of Idaho in October. Public participation in these processes is encouraged because redevelopment issues affect many sectors of public and community life.