The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University a grant of $403,018 to support job training for individuals affected by the decline of the coal industry in the LENOWISCO Planning District. The initiative targets dislocated workers, veterans, unemployed, and undereducated individuals.
Adam Ortiz, EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, highlighted the impact of these grants: “Thanks to President Biden’s unwavering commitment to historically overburdened communities, EPA is investing $1.4 million in Brownfields Job Training grants in the Mid-Atlantic Region,” adding that “these grants are changing lives and improving communities.”
Virginia Tech aims to train 35 students and place 25 in environmental jobs through this program. Allison Mays from Virginia Tech emphasized the program's role in addressing employment barriers: “Our program addresses barriers to employment for underemployed, unemployed, and underserved individuals in Southwest Virginia," she said.
The Brownfields Job Training Program is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law focusing on economic opportunity and environmental justice. Participants receive certifications that enhance their employability in long-term environmental careers.
The funding stems from a historic investment under President Biden's leadership aimed at enhancing brownfields infrastructure across the U.S., with over $1.5 billion allocated through EPA's Brownfields Program. Since its inception in 1998, more than 23,400 individuals have completed training programs funded by these grants.
For additional information about Brownfields Job Training grant recipients or how to apply for such grants, visit EPA’s Grant Factsheet Tool or their website for details on various types of funding available.