Brownfields Redevelopment Financial Incentives


Many levels of government have established programs that assist developers and end-users in redeveloping brownfield properties in Milwaukee.

For more information contact Karen Dettmer at 414-286-5642.

Financial incentives include:

MEDC Site Assessment Matching Grant Program: Designed to encourage the investigation and redevelopment of industrial/commercial properties in the City that may be affected by environmental concerns. Grants of up to $25,000 are available to assist with Phase II Site Assessments and related work. A Phase I Site Assessment is required.

WI Department of Commerce Brownfield Grants: Up to $1,250,000 for acquisition, demolition, and remediation of brownfield properties where redevelopment projects will create jobs. A 50% private match is required.

Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF): Low interest loans for projects ranging from $200,000 to $1,100,000 for financing environmental cleanup on brownfield properties undergoing redevelopment with strong job creation.

Purchase of Tax Delinquent Brownfield Sites: over 200 tax delinquent properties are available for purchase from the City of Milwaukee through state provision 75.106. Back taxes and liens against the property are eliminated as part of the process.

Federal Tax Incentive for Brownfields Redevelopment: the Brownfields Tax Incentive encourages the cleanup and reuse of brownfields (including petroleum cleanup). Under the Brownfields Tax Incentive, environmental cleanup costs are fully deductible in the year incurred, rather than capitalized and spread over time.

Economic Development Tax Credits: redevelopment projects that create jobs and/or new businesses may be eligible for a variety of tax credits. The tax credits, which are nonrefundable and nontransferable, must be applied against a certified business’s Wisconsin income tax liability. The tax credits have a 15-year carry forward. Eligible activities include job creation, capital investment, employee training, and corporate headquarter operations.

Federal Brownfields Income Tax Deduction: Businesses that own and cleanup contaminated properties may be eligible to take advantage of a federal income tax deduction for expenses incurred by December 31, 2009. The tax deduction allows a taxpayer to deduct qualified environmental remediation expenditures at a property held for use in a trade or business or for the production of income. An individual or business must own the property while the expenses are incurred, and must obtain certification from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Qualified expenditures include site assessment, investigation and monitoring; remediation activities; operation and maintenance costs; voluntary cleanup program fees; and costs for removal of demolition debris. Additional qualifications apply.

Other development incentives may also be available depending on the nature and location of your redevelopment proposal.