HASTINGS, Neb.- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the City of Hastings $475,000 in Brownfield Assessment cleanup funds for the former Hastings Middle School site at 714 W. Fifth St. 

The EPA announced that Hastings is one of the 207 communities to receive a total of 214 grant awards through the Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund Cleanup Grants, and revolving Loan Fund Supplemental Funding. Altogether, the EPA is disturbing over $224 million in grant money.  

Partnering with the South Central Economic Development District, the City and Community Redevelopment Authority applied in the fall of 2024 to the EPA Brownfield Program for a cleanup grant to refine the asbestos and other contamination in the old middle school building.  

The grant is expected to fully cover the cost of the project. It will enable the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) to remove asbestos from the building, paving the way for renovation and future reuse. Currently, the presence of asbestos poses a significant barrier to interior renovations and repurposing the space. 

According to the EPA, the City of Hastings applied for a Brownfield Cleanup grant of $575,000 

The City of Hastings is expected to submit a finished workplan and budget to the EPA by June 30 and the application included an intent to find consultants within the first 30 days

The EPA announced that Hastings is one of the 207 communities to receive a total of 214 grant awards through the Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund Cleanup Grants, and revolving Loan Fund Supplemental Funding. Altogether, the EPA is disturbing over $224 million in grant money.  

Partnering with the South Central Economic Development District, the City and Community Redevelopment Authority applied in the fall of 2024 to the EPA Brownfield Program for a cleanup grant to refine the asbestos and other contamination in the old middle school building.  

The grant is expected to fully cover the cost of the project. It will enable the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) to remove asbestos from the building, paving the way for renovation and future reuse. Currently, the presence of asbestos poses a significant barrier to interior renovations and repurposing the space. 

According to the EPA, the City of Hastings applied for a Brownfield Cleanup grant of $575,000 

The City of Hastings is expected to submit a finished workplan and budget to the EPA by June 30 and the application included an intent to find consultants within the first 30 days

The EPA announced that Hastings is one of the 207 communities to receive a total of 214 grant awards through the Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund Cleanup Grants, and revolving Loan Fund Supplemental Funding. Altogether, the EPA is disturbing over $224 million in grant money.  

Partnering with the South Central Economic Development District, the City and Community Redevelopment Authority applied in the fall of 2024 to the EPA Brownfield Program for a cleanup grant to refine the asbestos and other contamination in the old middle school building.  

The grant is expected to fully cover the cost of the project. It will enable the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) to remove asbestos from the building, paving the way for renovation and future reuse. Currently, the presence of asbestos poses a significant barrier to interior renovations and repurposing the space. 

According to the EPA, the City of Hastings applied for a Brownfield Cleanup grant of $575,000 

The City of Hastings is expected to submit a finished workplan and budget to the EPA by June 30 and the application included an intent to find consultants within the first 30 days