Catholic Perspectives on Urban Life and the Environment
Sprawl and Brownfields Letter to the House of Representatives cont.
From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
June 9, 1997

We support the use of tax abatements, training assistance programs, tax credits and loan guarantees and industrial development grants for infrastructure for local governments and the private sector, but these incentives must be tied to the hiring from the local affected communities.

In Summary

We are encouraged by the bipartisan efforts to propose solutions to the challenge of cleaning up brownfields and making them a source of community, social and economic revitalization. Not only can this effort remove blight and bring about a healthier environment, but it also can serve as a model for solving the devastating unemployment and underemployment problems in many cities and rural communities. We urge you to pass legislation incorporating the principles we have outlined as rapidly as possible.

Thank you for the opportunity to present our views to you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend William Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
Chairman, Committee on Domestic Policy