The number of rehabilitated brownfield sites has increased from two to nine since 2002. Additionally, rehabilitation agreements signed with the department have increased from 14 to 48. However, only 65 acres in designated brownfield areas have been rehabilitated. More time is needed to assess the program's impact since it may take several years to redevelop a brownfield site.

The department has taken action to address some of our recommendations for increasing the rehabilitation of brownfields. The department

• developed a website that provides information on brownfield incentives and includes a database of brownfield sites throughout the state; and
• improved coordination of brownfield activities among governmental entities.

The Legislature implemented our 2002 report's recommendation to eliminate the requirement that businesses pay at least 80% of the average wage to receive brownfield incentives. We continue to recommend that the Legislature eliminate the statutory requirement that businesses must create a minimum of 10 new jobs, and increase the state guarantee on loans to brownfield developers from 10% to 50% or higher.