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Carter County votes to pursue EPA Brownfields abatement for old hospital, seeks GNDC subgrant/loan help
Summary
After an EPA Brownfields award, the county heard a $431,980 abatement estimate and voted to move forward with Great Northern Development Committee (GNDC) assistance to pursue a subgrant/loan that would cover roughly $161,000, leaving a county share that depends on final bids.
The Carter County Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with cleanup of the county’s vacant hospital after receiving notice the project is eligible for an EPA Brownfields subgrant.
County staff reported PetroCheck’s most recent abatement estimate (April) at $431,980, and staff said Great Northern Development Committee subgrant funds could contribute about $161,000 toward that total. "Those numbers are subject to change as subgrant funds are first‑come, first‑served and the cost estimates are just an estimate," the county’s project lead said. That leaves an approximate county balance of $270,785 to cover the remainder, the county reported.
Carly (GNDC representative) told commissioners GNDC can administer either a subgrant or a low/no‑interest loan and would streamline invoicing and administrative work: "The loan could be constructed low or even no interest along with a flexible repayment plan," she said. GNDC staff also explained their role in advertising for qualified environmental professionals (QEPs), producing an ABCA (analysis of brownfields cleanup alternatives) and helping manage contractor selection.
Commissioners discussed local contractor interest and the benefits of expanding the list of eligible QEPs so area firms such as Ingraham could bid. One commissioner noted Ingraham’s local presence and past work on county abatement projects and urged that local bidders be given notice. GNDC staff recommended including multiple QEP firms under contract to ensure competitive bids and to manage EPA drawdown procedures.
Officials also discussed site logistics, easements and required surveys before construction: county staff said a legal description and survey will be needed for any property the county plans to use (building footprint, ingress/egress and easements), and a bid calendar was set: bids are due on the 30th at 3 p.m. with an award date currently scheduled for Aug. 4.
After that discussion, Commissioner S1 moved to proceed with GNDC (EMDC) to administer the abatement subgrant/loan process; Commissioner S7 seconded, and the motion carried.
Next steps: GNDC will submit the project application to its regional board, prepare QEP procurement and an ABCA, and the county will return signed minutes and coordinate with GNDC’s loan officer if a loan is chosen. The commissioners asked staff to circulate QEP contact lists and to reconvene for any immediate procedural needs as bidding progresses.
