Northern Kentucky Area Development District
Jul 27, 2026
The City of Falmouth and the Northern Kentucky Area Development District have been awarded a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant to evaluate 13 underutilized properties and support future redevelopment, economic growth and community revitalization
The City of Falmouth, in partnership with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), has been awarded a $500,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Assessment Grant to support the identification, assessment and planning for the redevelopment of brownfield properties throughout the city.
Brownfields are properties where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination. The grant will provide resources to assess potentially contaminated properties, reduce barriers to redevelopment and create new opportunities for economic growth in one of Northern Kentucky's most historically significant communities.
Founded in 1793 at the confluence of the Licking and South Fork Licking rivers, Falmouth has long been a center of commerce and industry. However, decades of economic transition and repeated natural disasters, including major floods in 1964, 1997, 2020 and 2025, as well as a devastating tornado in 1968, have left lasting impacts on the community. The 1997 flood alone destroyed approximately 600 homes, while the 2024 closure of Hammer Strength eliminated more than 120 jobs.
The project area includes 13 brownfield sites within the city limits identified by NKADD's Brownfield Advisory Committee. These former industrial, commercial and transportation-related properties may contain hazardous building materials or environmental contamination and have remained vacant or underutilized for years.
Environmental assessments funded by the grant will determine the nature and extent of contamination, helping prepare priority sites for future redevelopment.
"The Brownfields Program is about turning challenges into opportunities," said Katie Jo Berkshire Kirkpatrick, associate director of community development planning. "By assessing these historic properties, we can help Falmouth attract investment, create jobs, expand housing opportunities and preserve the community's heritage."
Potential redevelopment includes commercial and light industrial projects, housing, community spaces and green infrastructure. Residents and stakeholders will have opportunities to participate in planning as the project moves forward.