The Foundation for Overcoming Challenges and Utilizing Strengths, or FOCUS, helps communities start the process of redeveloping brownfields.

Local governments and non-profits can now apply for $5,000 start-up grants.

The programs are coordinated through offices at West Virginia University and Marshall University.

“We are pleased that this successful program has expanded to include all of West Virginia. Development professionals across the state will now be able to tap into the funding opportunities and technical assistance that the FOCUS WV Brownfields Program provides,” George Carico, program coordinator for the Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University, said.

"To move from a liability to a potential asset," said program coordinator Sera Zegre, "and to have communities overcome these small challenges and create a vision or business plan or a dream of what could be and these monies can help make that happen."

Most West Virginia brownfields are scattered throughout the state, often in the center of rural towns. That placement presents hurdles to traditional redevelopment because town either can't affort development firms or there is initally no interest in the site.

Projects in Morgantown, Shinnston, Reedsville, and many other communities in the northern half of the state are already underway, thanks to the FOCUS grants. Now, the southern communities will have the same opportunities.

Grant applications are coordinated through offices at WVU and Marshall. The 2010 application deadline is Dec. 18.

You can click on the link below for more information.