A Good Week for Tucson’s Future with Regards to the Environment, Affordable Housing, and Economic Performance

This has been a good week for the future of Tucson

First, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) has awarded the City of Tucson a one million dollar Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant.

Later in the week, in a move that will provide additional opportunities for affordable housing, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, along with representatives from the Arizona Department of Housing and La Frontera Arizona, helped open The Center for Hope Apartments.

The City also reported strong economic performance from the last quarter.

What the One Million Dollar Grant from the EPA will do?

According to the EPA website, the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grants are designed to:

“…assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. They also support economic growth and job creation and empower communities to address the environmental, public health, and social issues associated with contaminated land.”

Tucson is one of 227 communities across the country to receive this funding which will be directed toward clean up and community development activities.

Commenting on the receipt of the grant, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero posted on social media:

“The EPA has selected the City of Tucson, Arizona as the recipient for a $1M Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant.
The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund to provide loans and subgrants to support cleanup activities.
Grant funds also will be used to support community engagement activities across La Doce, Thrive in the 05, Barrio Centro/Julia Keen Neighborhood, and Downtown Tucson/Historic Barrios—areas chosen because of their economic and cultural significance to the community and their redevelopment potential.”

100 more Tucson residents will now have affordable housing.

According to Mayor Romero’s social media, the grand opening of The Center for Hope Apartments represents another example of a successful private (La Frontera Arizona) and public (The city and Arizona Department of Housing) partnership where 100 Tucson residents will now have access to affordable housing.

Strong Economic Performance in the Last Quarter as well. 

These developments come as Tucson also recently announced a strong quarterly economic report with positive job growth and $38 million in capital investment.

Mayor Romero credited this good news to:

“…the collective impact of our 42,000 small businesses and large industry clusters…new airline routes in 2022, airport expansions, and spring outdoor events like Tucson hosting the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Agave Heritage Festival, and Pueblos del Maíz—all successful revenue drivers for hotel occupancy, restaurant and retail sales.”