Thought Leadership: John Kinny on Empowering Developers to Transform Challenging Sites

Redeveloping contaminated property takes vision, patience and partnership. Between environmental cleanup costs, complex regulations and long timelines, these projects can easily feel out of reach – especially for smaller-scale developers who want to invest in their own communities.

That’s why the Emerging and Diverse Developers Workshop, hosted by Minnesota Brownfields, is so important. Now in its third year, the annual event provides education, connections and real-world resources to help developers navigate the unique challenges of building on contaminated sites.

This year’s workshop, sponsored by the Opus Foundation, focused on financing strategies – an essential topic for turning these complex, barrier-ridden properties into viable, community-building opportunities.

“The cost of environmental investigation and cleanup can be significant,” said John Kinny, our Director of Environmental Risk and a member of the Minnesota Brownfields Advisory Committee. “Fortunately, Minnesota has state and local grant programs that can help fill funding gaps. That grant money can play a critical role in making these projects feasible.”

During the event, John had the honor of announcing a multiyear grant from the Foundation to help Minnesota Brownfields continue expanding its reach. Having managed environmental strategy on development and construction projects for more than two decades, John understands the positive impact such partnerships can have.

“Reliable funding is crucial. It provides stability and an opportunity to grow this important program,” he said. “These are the kinds of initiatives that spark reinvestment and strengthen neighborhoods for generations to come.”

Supporting the Emerging and Diverse Developers Workshop reflects our broader commitment to building strong, inclusive communities. When developers have the tools and confidence to take on these projects, they’re not just redeveloping property, they’re building community and shaping a stronger future for all.