Las Vegas, Nev. – This week, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) is participating in a virtual tour of all of Nevada’s 17 counties, meeting via teleconference with community officials and government representatives, and attending virtual tours of local businesses and non-profits. Today, Senator Cortez Masto attended a virtual tour of the Virginia City Boardwalk. She also had a conversation with officials in Pershing County and the City of Lovelock about how they are using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields funding to help revitalize the community. In addition, she completed a series of phone conversations with local leaders in Storey and Pershing counties.
“I had the privilege of speaking to Nevadans in Storey and Pershing counties who are transforming the state’s past by creatively reinventing it. This innovation is exemplified in Virginia City, whose historic streets are now a premier tourist destination. And in Pershing County and Lovelock, local government, members of the community, and businesses are working on a plan to reinvigorate their downtown with the help of EPA grant funding. I am eager to continue working in the Senate to get Nevada support for transformative initiatives like these.”
BACKGROUND:
Senator Cortez Masto recently introduced the bipartisan STEP Act to provide economic support for organizations involved in promoting and hosting tourism, travel, or other special events. This legislation is intended to aid local economies by strengthening small businesses and live event companies that employ thousands of Nevadans.
Established in 1995, the EPA Brownfields program transforms sites once used for industrial and commercial purposes that may contain hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. The EPA provides grants to assess and clear Brownfields properties that are planned for reuse or redevelopment. The Western Nevada Development District, working in partnership with Pershing County and the City of Lovelock, was awarded a $600,000 Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields grant last year. The grant is funding the assessment of contaminated areas, blighted buildings, and old mine tailings in Pershing County. The Pershing County and Lovelock Brownfields Initiative is working to reuse spaces for businesses, green spaces, housing, government purposes, and charitable organizations.
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