The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission has been awarded a $1.5 million federal Brownfields grant to help identify, assess and prepare properties across the region for potential redevelopment.

The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through its 2026 Brownfields program. The grant will support environmental site assessments, including 26 Phase I assessments and 16 Phase II assessments, as the Regional Commission works with communities throughout Northwest Georgia.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission serves 15 counties and 48 municipalities, including Chattooga County and its communities. Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen and Summerville Mayor Rickey Hughes both serve on the Regional Commission Council.

Brownfields are properties where actual or potential environmental contamination can complicate redevelopment or reuse. EPA funding can be used to determine whether contamination exists and what steps may be needed before a property can move forward toward redevelopment.

The $1.5 million award is part of a larger $6 million Brownfields investment being highlighted in Northwest Georgia this week.

That total also includes $4 million for cleanup of the former Crystal Springs Print Works property in Chickamauga and $500,000 for the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority to expand its inventory of brownfield properties and conduct assessments.

EPA officials and 14th District Congressman Clay Fuller are scheduled to highlight the regional funding during an event Friday at the Chickamauga Civic Center.

The Brownfields program is designed to help communities address contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, remove barriers to redevelopment and return unused or underused sites to productive use.