DNR Awards Brownfield Grant To Portage County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the department has awarded brownfield assessment services to Portage County to assist with the investigation of environmental contamination at the former Spiritland Store Service Center in the town of Almond.

The award is from the DNR's Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, which provides contractor services for the environmental assessment of eligible brownfield sites.

A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use; they can be anything from a 500-acre former automobile assembly plant to a small, abandoned gas station.

The award will support the assessment of environmental conditions at the property where there is confirmed petroleum contamination. The property housed a small general store and residence in the 1950s. Contamination in soil and groundwater was confirmed after gas pumps were removed from the property in the 1990s. Investigation and cleanup stalled, and Portage County took possession of the property in 2022 after years of vacancy. Additional environmental assessment will provide information on cleanup needs and make the property more marketable to potential purchasers.

“Portage County officials recognize the impact that a redeveloped Spiritland Store property could have on the area and are taking important first steps by completing environmental assessments,” said Jodie Thistle, DNR Brownfields, Outreach & Policy Section Manager. “The DNR applauds the county’s efforts and looks forward to a continued partnership.”

Since 2009, the DNR's Wisconsin Assessment Monies program has provided over $3.3 million in services and grant funds to over 70 communities across Wisconsin, partnering to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties that detract from a community's potential. Because no local financial match is required, the Wisconsin Assessment Monies program grants present an attractive opportunity for communities to learn about environmental conditions. Applications for assistance may be submitted to the DNR at any time.

Interested in learning how cleaning up brownfields can help your community? The DNR’s on-demand Brownfields Fundamentals webinars cover planning, cleanup, liability and other topics as part of a well-rounded crash course in Wisconsin brownfield redevelopment.

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders, and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup. DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings.

More information about the DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s Brownfields webpage.