Our Mission

The Orange County Brownfields Initiative is dedicated to the identification, assessment, and redevelopment of brownfield properties throughout Orange County. Through partnerships with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, local municipalities, and community stakeholders, we aim to transform environmental liabilities into community assets.

Our program focuses on properties that may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. By addressing these environmental concerns, we can facilitate the redevelopment of underutilized properties, create jobs, increase the local tax base, and improve environmental quality.

Managed by OCIDA

The Orange County Brownfields Initiative is managed by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA), a public benefit corporation established to promote economic development in Orange County. OCIDA offers financial incentives, workforce development, and business support services to promote business growth and job creation in the region.

OCIDA's management of the Brownfields Initiative reflects the agency's commitment to sustainable economic development that benefits the entire community. By transforming environmentally challenged properties into productive use, OCIDA helps create new opportunities for business development while improving the quality of life for Orange County residents.

EPA Partnership

Our initiative is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Program, which provides funding for brownfield assessment, cleanup, and job training activities. This partnership enables us to conduct environmental site assessments, develop cleanup plans, and support redevelopment planning for brownfield sites throughout Orange County.

Program Goals

• Identify and inventory potential brownfield sites throughout Orange County

• Conduct environmental site assessments to determine the nature and extent of contamination

• Develop cleanup and remediation plans for contaminated properties

• Engage with community stakeholders to identify reuse priorities for brownfield sites

• Support redevelopment planning to transform brownfields into community assets

• Leverage EPA and other funding sources to facilitate brownfield redevelopment

• Partner with municipalities, developers, and property owners to implement redevelopment plans

Our success depends on strong partnerships with municipalities, property owners, developers, and community stakeholders. By working together, we can identify high-priority brownfield sites and develop effective strategies for assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment that align with community needs and economic development goals.