LUBEC, Maine - Six towns in Maine are receiving federal funding to help redevelop contaminated sites.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.3 million to various municipalities and agencies with the aim of cleaning so-called "brownfield" sites which contain hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, often the result of industrial activity.
The town of Lubec is receiving $400,000 to clean up the Columbian Factory site. Town Administrator John Sutherland says the plan is to remove the toxic remains of the old fish processing facility.
"Our goal is to go in and remove this structure before somebody gets hurt, clean the property up and help make another attractive site for our community," Sutherland says.
This grant is part of a $54 million EPA investment being used to clean brownfield sites throughout the U.S.