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Brownfields are abandoned or underutilized industrial and commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived environmental contamination. According to the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), an estimated 1,000 acres, or half of all vacant/underutilized industrial/commercial land in the city, is likely contaminated, and the other half is perceived to be contaminated. More than 400 of these properties lie within Baltimore’s Empowerment Zone. BDC estimates that the redevelopment of these brownfields could produce 27,000 jobs and $25 million in new annual property tax revenues. Civic Works’ B’more Green program trains individuals for entry-level jobs as environmental technicians and laborers. The training consists of a seven-week, 250-hour program of hands-on fieldwork and classroom study. Trainees receive certification in lead abatement and First Aid/CPR, and training in hazardous-materials remediation, emergency response, environmental site assessment and sampling, ecological restoration, and storm water management. With a $108,195 grant from The Abell Foundation, Civic Works has completed two sessions of B’More Green training in 2008. A total of 35 people entered the training program, and of those, 29 (or 82 percent) graduated. Of those who graduated, 23 (or 79 percent) were placed in jobs, with the average starting hourly wage of $13.55. Retention rates are promising as the program is averaging a 75 percent one-year retention rate with previous classes. The average cost per placement is $4,704. B’More Green targets harder-to-serve clients, as those trained are predominately African-American men with criminal records and high-school diplomas. The program has the following eligibility requirements:
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