The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a series of in-person, community-based Regional Roadshow events as part of its Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative. This initiative aims to help communities across the nation access the unprecedented resources provided by the EPA's Inflation Reduction Act investments and other new funding opportunities facilitated by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. On May 13, 2024, the roadshow made a stop in Florence, South Carolina, providing local leaders with opportunities to develop or leverage community-based partnerships for implementing local climate and environmental justice solutions.
"EPA’s Regional Roadshow is critical in helping communities learn and cultivate ideas on how to access unprecedented EPA resources to confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice," said Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. She expressed gratitude towards the communities in Florence for allowing them to share more about EPA’s opportunities.
Jennifer Macedonia, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Implementation for the Office of Air and Radiation emphasized that ensuring these unprecedented investments reach those most profoundly affected by climate and environmental challenges is crucial. "Through EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative and the Regional Roadshow events, we are equipping historically underserved communities with essential resources, vital information, and unwavering support they need to create needed change," she stated.
Jeaneanne Gettle, Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator highlighted that this initiative creates engagements designed to spark ideas on how to take advantage of Investing in America programs. "The various sessions provided opportunities for local community leaders to leverage existing community-based partnerships and cultivate ideas on the Inflation Reduction Act and other programs," she added.
Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin expressed her honor at hosting the CER Regional Roadshow for Region 4 in Florence. She believes that this program will be instrumental in propelling Florence towards becoming a green city.
Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, co-sponsored the roadshow event. She described it as a great opportunity to share information about the technical assistance and training their center offers to help community-based organizations secure funding to accelerate their community vision for change.
The EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights are providing spaces through this initiative for communities to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships. Attendees at these Regional Roadshow events will learn about historic funding and technical assistance through programming that is designed to be especially helpful for overburdened communities. These events aim to help them confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice locally as they learn, connect, and cultivate ideas on how to access these extraordinary resources.
For more information on upcoming Regional Roadshow Events and Community, Equity & Resiliency Resources, visit the EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency webpage.