After three years of wading through bureaucratic murkiness, legislation for the cleanup and remediation of polluted brownfield sites across the state has finally seen the light of day.

According to the Times Union, the governor and legislative leaders have granted $7.25 million in funds toward the research, planning and implementation of 50 projects across the state, including $829,000 for low-income communities in the Capital region. The Brownfield Cleanup Program helps revitalize communities with blighted, contaminated industrial properties by attracting developers through financial incentives.

While some criticize the program for granting certain developers millions of dollars in tax credits, there is large-scale community support who hail it as an important victory in the quest for economic growth and sustainability.