The U.s. Environmental Protection Agency has grants available for communities in New England to reduce environmental risks, protect human health and improve quality of life.
The Healthy Communities Grant Program provides a unique opportunity for organizations to identify and fight back against environmental risks, resulting in an increase in human health protection and a better quality of life, particularly in underserved and overburdened areas, according to an April 21 news release.
"Our Healthy Communities grants are a great way to empower local communities to bring environmental justice to their families," EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash said in the release. "We look forward to working closely with local New England organizations to get on-the-ground solutions to challenges that have plagued overburdened and vulnerable communities."
The program also provides support to advanced resilience and preserved/restored ecosystems to deal with the top local priorities in conjunction with the EPA's areas of focus, the release reported. The EPA is accepting new applications for the projects until the deadline of May 26.
Eligible projects have to be located in one or more of four target investment areas, and identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental or public health results in one or more of seven target program areas, according to the release.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, K-12 schools or school districts as well as not for profit organizations, the release reported.
To answer questions from prospective applicants, the Healthy Communities Grant Program planned three virtual information sessions, the release reported. The first information sessions were offered April 25 and 27. The next is May 11.
These information sessions are optional, but registration is necessary if one wishes to attend, according to the release. The registration form can be found in the 2023 Request for Applications.
Approximately 15 cooperative agreements are expected to be awarded grant funding, the release reported.
