A new federal grant represents another big step forward in the efforts to clean up, clear out, and redevelop the former Pillsbury Mills site in Springfield.
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski announced the $787,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chris Richmond with Moving Pillsbury Forward says the money will pay for the remediation of asbestos and lead paint in the remaining structures on the site. He says the grant now puts the group roughly halfway toward the total cost of cleaning up the site and demolishing the abandoned plant so that it can be redeveloped.
Richmond is hoping for additional federal grants and potentially money in the new state budget, and remains optimistic that the project can be completed in the next three years.
