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Consultant says Brownfields grants generated roughly $115 million in economic output for region
Summary
An economic impact analysis presented to Oskaloosa council estimates EPA Brownfields grants (modeled for 2014 and 2019 projects) produced about $115.2 million in total output, supported an estimated 164 full‑time‑equivalent jobs, and increased county GDP by about $51 million, consultant Benjamin told the council.
A consultant for Eocene Environmental Group told the Oskaloosa City Council on Oct. 6 that an economic impact analysis of the city’s EPA Brownfields projects produced substantial regional effects.
Benjamin (presenting for Eocene) said his input–output model, run for the 2014 and 2019 grants (the 2023 grant is still ongoing and was excluded), produced an estimated $115,200,000 in total economic output when combining direct, indirect and induced effects. He said the modeled increase in county gross domestic product was about $51,000,000 and that the projects supported an estimated 164 full‑time‑equivalent jobs.
The analysis modeled 29 inputs, including public and private leveraged funds, and separated public (non‑taxing) and private (taxing) development impacts. Benjamin said property tax impacts were estimated but that TIF assumptions were not modeled; he noted a county‑level direct tax impact of about $533,000 in the analysis and cited $17,000,000 in added property value tied to two specific projects modeled.
During council Q&A members asked whether brownfield sites can be redeveloped to residential uses and about environmental remediation costs. Benjamin said conversion to residential use is possible but depends on contamination and cost; creating parks or open space is generally easier from a remediation standpoint. He also noted the model is a ‘‘snapshot in time’’ and sensitive to inputs and project types (for example, a hotel or Trio complex were major drivers of modeled output).
City staff said the analysis helps quantify the aggregate return on investment of the Brownfields program and provided comparative figures Benjamin used from other work (noting that some private numbers were redacted in the public report). The report and presentation will remain available to council and staff for follow‑up questions.
Next steps: councilmembers asked staff to follow up on specific model breakdowns if desired; Benjamin said he could provide more detailed assumptions on request.
(All numerical figures cited are from the consultant’s presentation to the council.)
