The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the opening of the University of Connecticut's Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC), which is now accepting requests for technical assistance from communities and organizations across New England. The center, established with a $10 million award from the EPA, aims to help address local environmental justice challenges over a five-year period.
UConn will collaborate with the University of Southern Maine's New England Environmental Finance Center to engage with communities throughout New England. The TCTAC will support overburdened communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and federally recognized Tribes in New England by aiding them in navigating federal grant applications and strengthening community engagement capacities.
"Too often, communities with the most pressing environmental justice concerns have been left behind due to barriers in accessing federal funding," stated EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "UConn's technical assistance center is a game-changer for New England and will provide greater access to services to ensure overburdened and underserved communities and our Tribal nations can access historic investments to address generational environmental and health disparities."
Pamir Alpay, UConn Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship said: "As Connecticut's flagship university, UConn takes pride in service to our communities and helping to prepare them for the environmental challenges they face in the present and the future." He added that with EPA’s support they are proud to extend their expertise throughout New England.
The initiative involves partnerships with several organizations including:
- Environmental Protection Network: Providing region-wide support for community capacity building.
- Groundwork USA affiliates: Coordinating outreach in urban areas like Bridgeport (Connecticut), Lawrence (Massachusetts), and Providence (Rhode Island).
- New England Rural Health Association: Coordinating outreach through its members in Vermont.
- University of Massachusetts Boston's Institute for New England Native American Studies: Tailoring assistance for Tribes.
- University of Southern Maine's Finance Center: Offering sustainable solutions for climate priorities.
These collaborations aim at offering technical assistance tailored to diverse community needs ranging from health injustices to infrastructure requirements such as public transit or broadband service.
Requests for UConn’s services can be made via their website or by contacting them directly through email or phone. They offer aid in identifying funding resources, managing grants, writing proposals, and planning project implementation.
This development is part of broader efforts under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aiming at ensuring disadvantaged communities benefit significantly from federal investments addressing legacy pollution issues while promoting clean energy goals.
