Brownfield Braintrust Podcast: Brownfield Redevelopment Explained

Brownfield redevelopment is one of the most effective—and misunderstood—tools for community revitalization, housing development, and economic growth.

In this episode of Brownfield Brain Trust, environmental engineer and brownfield investor Matt Winefield is joined by Jean Hamerman, Executive Director, and Lauren Ghazikhanian, Director of Communications at The Center for Creative Land Recycling, to explain how brownfield redevelopment actually works—and why FY26 is a critical year for EPA Brownfields funding.

🔹 What qualifies as a brownfield (and why suspected contamination matters)
🔹 How EPA Brownfields grants support assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment
🔹 Why California communities are moving faster on brownfield reuse
🔹 The role of public agencies, nonprofits, developers, and consultants
🔹 Real examples of contaminated sites becoming housing, parks, and job centers
🔹 Why brownfield redevelopment is truly a team sport

With more than $250 million in EPA Brownfields grant funding available this year, this conversation is essential for municipalities, developers, environmental consultants, planners, and investors looking to bring stalled sites back into productive use.

About Matt Winefield
Matt Winefield is an environmental engineer turned brownfield investor and the founder of Winefield & Associates. For more than 30 years, he has transformed contaminated and blighted sites into profitable infill assets through cost-conscious remediation, creative agency negotiations, and third-party cost-recovery strategies.

Matt partners with investors and communities who see hidden value where others see risk.

📩 Email: mw@winefieldinc.com
🌐 Website: https://www.winefieldinc.com
📞 Phone: (562) 618-0037

Connect with Matt:
• LinkedIn:   / mattwinefield  
• VI Blog: https://www.winefieldinc.com/vi-blog

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