The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment in workforce training aimed at underserved and overburdened communities. On December 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that 16 organizations have been selected to receive nearly $7.7 million in grants for environmental job training programs nationwide. These grants are part of the EPA's Brownfields Job Training Program, funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Cliff Villa, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management at the EPA, stated, "EPA’s Brownfields Job Training grants are changing lives and improving communities long overburdened by contaminated properties." He emphasized that thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the EPA is helping create high-paying jobs for low-income, unemployed, and underemployed residents who contribute to making their communities cleaner, healthier, and stronger.
The South Central Kansas Workforce Alliance will host an event today in Wichita, Kansas, with participation from Cliff Villa, EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister, and Wichita City Council Member Brandon Johnson. The alliance will provide training in key areas such as asbestos removal and commercial driver's licenses for hazardous waste transportation.
Each job training grant provides up to $500,000 to organizations working on creating a skilled workforce in communities undergoing brownfield site assessments and cleanups. Participants completing these programs often overcome barriers to employment and many come from historically underserved neighborhoods or areas affected by environmental justice issues.
Selected applicants include Groundwork Rhode Island - Pawtucket, RI; Worcester City - Worcester, MA; Groundwork Elizabeth - Elizabeth, NJ; Montclair State University - Montclair, NJ; Center for Nonprofit Advancement - Washington DC; Groundwork Richmond Virginia - Richmond VA; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Blacksburg VA; Eco Ed Impact Corp - Miami FL; Southwest Economic Solutions - Detroit MI; Iowa Western Community College - Council Bluffs IA; Saint Louis University - St. Louis MO; Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas - Wichita KS; Groundwork Denver - Denver CO; NyE Communities Coalition - Pahrump NV; Pocatello City - Pocatello ID; Tribal Solid Waste Advisory Network - Tekoa WA.
Since 1998, the EPA has awarded 430 grants totaling over $113 million through its Brownfields Job Training Programs. More than 23,400 individuals have completed training with more than 17,400 securing employment related to land remediation as well as environmental health and safety roles.