The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a total of $300,000 in grant funding to support three small businesses in Texas and Oklahoma. The grants aim to foster the development of technologies addressing public health and environmental challenges. These initiatives include treating PFAS in biosolids, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building materials, and creating safer chemical alternatives.

Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance commented on the initiative, stating, “Improving indoor air quality, treating PFAS in biosolids, and reducing carbon footprints—these are the types of critical efforts that small businesses will be leading for the communities in our region using this funding.” She congratulated the businesses for their commitment to innovative technologies that improve human health and the environment.

ENF Products, LLC, based in Edmond, Oklahoma, is set to receive $100,000 to develop a filter kit designed to enhance indoor air quality by working with existing air filters. Circle Concrete Tech Inc., located in Austin, Texas, will also receive $100,000 for designing an engineered recycled steel fiber product intended as a rebar replacement for concrete reinforcement with a reduced carbon footprint. Meanwhile, Talon/LPE, Ltd., from Amarillo, Texas, will use its $100,000 grant to create a sustainable method for treating PFAS in biosolids using biochar.

These awards fall under EPA's Small Business Innovation Research program—a yearly competition aimed at helping small businesses develop and commercialize environmental technologies that align with the agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. Each company will receive $100,000 as Phase I funding over six months for "proof of concept" development. Successful completion of Phase I allows companies to apply for Phase II funding up to $400,000 for further development and commercialization.