Cass County EDC recommends consultant for $300,000 EPA brownfields assessment grant

The Cass County Brownfield Authority, acting through the county economic development corporation (EDC), told commissioners it had been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess local brownfields and recommended a consultant selected from six RFP responses.

An EDC representative said the consultant recommended to carry out the assessment was particularly familiar with the county’s identified project sites and brought strong references. The packet names submitted with the RFP varied in the transcript between "Fish Specs" and later discussion corrected or referred to "Fishback." The EDC said the recommended firm proposed a cost "not to exceed" an amount that fit within the $300,000 grant and that Fishback’s proposal included that not-to-exceed provision.

The EDC representative said a Brownfields subcommittee conducted the full review and the broader EDC endorsed the subcommittee’s recommendation. Commissioners asked whether the consultant would return to the board for formal appointment; staff said this selection process is what authorizes the engagement under the grant and that the grant would cover consultant costs.

The board moved and approved advancing the recommended consultant under the EPA assessment grant. County staff said the recommended consultant’s fee appeared to be about $290,000 based on discussion, leaving a modest grant cushion, but that the precise contract amount would be finalized through the Brownfields authority and grant paperwork.

EDC and board members noted the selection was based on local familiarity with project sites, references, and a clear cost cap in the proposal. Commissioners approved moving the recommendation forward; specific contract terms and the formal procurement record will be handled by the Brownfield Authority and contracting staff.