The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $500,000 grant awarded to St. Louis University. This funding is intended to support the recruitment, training, and placement of workers in community revitalization and cleanup projects at brownfield sites within the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area, which spans Missouri and Illinois.
These Brownfields Job Training Program Grants are part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at advancing economic opportunity and environmental justice. The university plans to train 86 students, with an objective to place at least 61 in environmental jobs. The program includes 222 hours of instructional training covering various areas such as HAZWOPER, asbestos abatement, OSHA construction safety, ecosystem restoration, hazardous waste management, lead abatement work, mold remediation, soil and groundwater sampling among others.
“Today’s announcement is a key step in revitalizing communities and transforming underutilized Midwestern spaces,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “We congratulate the selected organizations and eagerly look forward to working together to develop a skilled workforce in environmental jobs.”
The EPA's Brownfields Job Training Program aims to create a skilled workforce in communities where brownfield site activities are ongoing. Many participants come from historically underserved neighborhoods or areas affected by environmental justice issues.
All applications for the FY25 Brownfields Job Training Program aim to work in disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. This aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which seeks to deliver 40% of federal investment benefits to marginalized communities overburdened by pollution.
Graduates typically earn certifications that enhance their marketability for long-term careers rather than temporary contractual work.
For more information on Brownfields Job Training Grant recipients or past recipients, visit EPA’s Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet Search tool.
President Biden's leadership has led to significant investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into U.S. brownfields infrastructure—over $1.5 billion through EPA's successful Brownfields Program. This allows more communities access to funding for job creation around brownfield sites.
Since its inception in 1998, the EPA has awarded over $113 million through 430 grants via these programs with over 23,400 individuals trained and more than 17,400 placed into related careers.
Organizations interested in applying for these grants can submit technical assistance requests directly to the EPA.
