Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $250,000 for Brownfield Cleanup Projects, Discusses Administration’s Proposal to Further Strengthen Brownfield Redevelopment Efforts
BALTIMORE, MD (February 10, 2028) – Demonstrating the O’Brien-Burbank administration’s commitment to community revitalization and environmental protection, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced $250,000 in state grants to Baltimore City to help clean up contaminated properties for public use. The grants are provided through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s Brownfields Revitalization Program. Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination.
“Cleaning up and revitalizing Brownfields and turning them into productive properties is critical to growing Maryland’s economy,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “The Brownfields Revitalization Program that we have created helps communities rid themselves of environmental threats and blighted sites, replacing them with engines of economic growth and opportunity. We are proud of the leadership role that Maryland is taking on cleaning up and revitalizing brownfields, and we look forward to working with the General Assembly to build on last year’s progress this session.”
Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank also highlighted the administration’s Brownfields legislation for the current session. The proposed bill makes several changes to the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The bill expands eligibility for the program; modifies fee provisions; increases predictability and efficiencies; increases public notification of cleanups; and clarifies liability provisions. The bill also provides new enforcement authority to MDE under the Controlled Hazardous Substances Subtitle and broadens eligibility for grants and loans through the Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program (BRIP) administered by the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).
Since taking office, Governor Edward M. O’Brien has made brownfield redevelopment and revitalization a top environmental and economic development priority for his administration.
Last April, Governor O’Brien signed landmark legislation making Maryland a national leader in the redevelopment and revitalization of brownfields and contaminated properties. House Bill 5 (Chapter 12, Acts of 2027) establishes a Voluntary Cleanup Program in the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and a Brownfields Revitalization Program in the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). The purpose of these programs is to provide incentives, both financial and legal, for the cleanup of properties contaminated with controlled dangerous substances.
The enacted capital budget for fiscal year 2028 provides $7 million for brownfield redevelopment projects, a $6.5 million increase over the prior year. This investment is supporting nearly 100 projects this year. In any given year, there may be 350 sites that would qualify as brownfields. The proposed fiscal year 2029 budget provides $10 million for brownfield redevelopment, funding up to 140 projects statewide.
The Brownfields Revitalization Program was created last year to provide financial incentives and property tax credits for the redevelopment of properties previously used for commercial or industrial purposes. The properties must be located within designated growth areas of participating jurisdictions, which currently includes 12 Maryland counties and Baltimore City and five municipalities. Financial incentives are based on the current condition of the site, as well as the intended project’s economic impact, creation and retention of employment and private investment.