EPA awards $1M in grants for Northern New Mexico brownfield programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New Mexico elected officials celebrated $1 million in Brownfields grants to Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) and the City of Raton as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Cliff Villa, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management, and Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance presented $500,000 to SFCC for job training and $500,000 to the City of Raton for site assessment. These investments aim to transform polluted, vacant properties into community assets, train students for jobs, and spur economic revitalization.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has given more communities than ever the opportunity to invest Brownfields funding to create returns for their environment, families and economy,” said Cliff Villa. “With these grants, Santa Fe Community College will continue its strong history of preparing students for meaningful environmental work, and the city of Raton will start to see the benefits of redevelopment and revitalization.”

“Communities that bear the burden of contamination from abandoned properties should get the most benefit from the historic levels of funding from EPA’s Brownfields programs," said Dr. Earthea Nance. "By directly investing in unemployed or underemployed residents, the Santa Fe Community College job training program truly improves students’ lives and the local environment."

“This is an important step toward a cleaner community for the residents of Ratón and the economic development opportunities in their future,” said U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (NM). “Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting to deliver investments that will pave the way for more economic growth and healthier, safer communities across New Mexico.”

"I am proud to announce $500,000 for Santa Fe Community College and another $500,000 for Raton as part of President Biden’s Investing in America initiative,” said U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (NM). “This substantial investment will enable Santa Fe Community College to offer tuition-free training and placement opportunities."

“This $1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will not only help protect our land but also create better-paying jobs for New Mexicans," said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM). "Community investments like these make me proud that I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

“Brownfields grants are key tools to clean-up contaminated properties which then spark economic investment in the community,” NMED Secretary James Kenney said.

“Santa Fe Community College is deeply honored to receive this grant,” said SFCC President Becky Rowley.

"Raton is very excited to receive this grant," said City Manager Dr. Rick Mestas.

SFCC’s job training program has a history of preparing students for environmental cleanup jobs with tuition-free training funded by this grant. The City of Raton’s grant will fund assessment work at several sites previously housing a market, hospital, and horse-racing track.

Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's historic $1.5 billion boost, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities address economic challenges caused by brownfields.

For more information on EPA’s Brownfields Program visit EPA’s Brownfields webpage.