Lieutenant Gov. Timothy Murray announced six new projects selected for assistance through the Patrick-Murray Administration's Brownfields Support Team (BST) Initiative, including a site on Katrina Road in Chelmsford.

First launched in May 2008, the BST is a multi-agency initiative that emphasizes collaboration across agencies and with communities to help clean up challenging and complex contaminated sites and prepare them for redevelopment.

Round I of the BST achieved measurable results at all five sites, including the commitment of more than $8 million in funding by participating agencies for assessment, cleanup, demolition and infrastructure improvements. Given the pilot's tremendous success, the Patrick-Murray Administration has selected six additional Brownfields sites for Round II, which will lead to job creation and increased tax revenues for cities and towns.

"As we continue to focus on job creation and economic recovery, the Brownfield Support Team is a leading model that brings together the right resources and tools to assist communities in their redevelopment initiatives," said Governor Deval Patrick. "The first round of this pilot program proved very successful and we look forward to working with more cities and towns in their efforts to turn blighted sites into opportunities for future job growth and economic development."

"Our Administration is committed to partnering with cities and towns across the state as we work together to support the Commonwealth's economic recovery," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, who leads the Brownfields Support Team. "Redevelopment of these selected sites will lead to the revitalization of housing and economic development in transit-oriented locations, spur business growth in key downtown areas, and boost local and regional economies."

The Lieutenant Governor made Tuesday's announcement at the former Uniroyal/Facemate site in Chicopee, one of the six newly selected projects. The other sites are the Mill Street Corridor in Gardner; the former Kiley Barrel site in Somerville; the Katrina Road site in Chelmsford; a downtown redevelopment project in Attleboro; and a new city-wide brownfields assistance pilot in Brockton.

The BST Round II brings together staff from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment), and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to help municipalities solve problems impeding the redevelopment of contaminated properties. Other state and federal agencies will also participate on these teams depending on the project needs. Additional agencies may include the Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/brownfie.htm