The City of Chickamauga has been awarded a $4 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help transform the former Crystal Springs Print Works property into a site ready for future redevelopment.
City officials announced the funding this week, calling it a major investment in the community’s long-term economic development and revitalization efforts.
The grant will fund environmental cleanup at the 17-acre former textile mill property located on Long Street and West 10th Street. The site has remained vacant since the mill buildings were demolished years ago. Cleanup efforts will focus on remediating environmental contaminants, paving the way for future development that city leaders say could bring new jobs, businesses, and investment to Chickamauga.
The EPA grant is the latest in a series of funding awards supporting the city’s redevelopment initiatives. Earlier, Chickamauga received a $1.45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address blight in the historic downtown area. The city also secured a $40,000 grant from Georgia’s Rural Center to conduct a redevelopment study for the property.
City officials said the combined funding strengthens Chickamauga’s ability to make meaningful infrastructure improvements while preserving the city’s historic character and enhancing quality of life for residents.
In announcing the award, the city thanked the EPA, HUD, Georgia’s Rural Center, and its project partners for supporting the revitalization effort. Officials said the grants demonstrate Chickamauga’s ongoing commitment to responsible development, historic preservation, and building a stronger future for the community.
Additional details about the cleanup project and redevelopment plans are expected to be released as planning and environmental remediation move forward.