Cochise supervisors approve BEC Environmental contract to run Brownfields revolving loan consulting

On May 19, 2026, Cochise County supervisors approved contract 26-10-dev-01 with BEC Environmental Inc. to provide environmental professional services supporting the county's EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund.

Staff presenter McLaughlin said the consultant will supply environmental and regulatory expertise required under EPA rules — including task oversight, remediation review and grant compliance support — allowing the county to move from planning and assessment into cleanup and redevelopment work. "The procurement process was conducted competitively and resulted in a strong qualified selection of BEC Environmental," she said, noting the company was available online for the meeting.

McLaughlin described several local projects supported by federal brownfields funding, including the Hillcrest Apartments in Bisbee and a redevelopment project on FAB Avenue in Sierra Vista. She told the board the program has brought more than $2,100,000 in EPA Brownfield funding to Cochise County since 2019 and that the consultant work will be fully covered by those federal grants. "There is no impact to the county general fund," she said.

Supervisors asked whether the list of example properties was exhaustive or illustrative; McLaughlin answered they were examples and offered to follow up on a specific property raised by a supervisor. Following discussion the board approved the contract by voice vote.

The contract enables the county to use federal funds and consultant expertise to address environmental contamination that can prevent reuse of underutilized properties, and staff said it will help attract private investment and job creation as sites are remediated and redeveloped.