Calling all brownfields practitioners! The solicitation EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-23-08 for a Brownfields JT grant is open and will close August 2, 2023! EPA’s Brownfields JT grants are available for nonprofit organizations, Indian Tribes, Redevelopment agencies, Regional Councils, public and nonprofit colleges, and State & local governments. The grant is a 5-year workforce development grant to create job training and certification in environmental fields for unemployed/under employed individuals in communities impacted by brownfields. These green jobs reduce environmental contamination and build more sustainable futures for communities.
The EPA hosted an outreach webinar for prospective applicants on June 14, 2023. A recording of the webinar is now available here.
Here are some of EPA’s Brownfield JT grant highlights:
- Grant can be funded up to $500,000 and can be used towards stipends to cover participation costs, child care and transportation costs for the trainees.
- Grantees tailor their training to the job market needs of their area.
- Students develop skills needed to secure full-time sustainable employment in environmental remediation fields.
- Funds may be used to offer trainings in:
- Brownfields hazardous waste training
- “Green Remediation” technologies
- Green infrastructure and stormwater management
- Emergency planning, preparedness, and response training for emergencies leading to contamination on brownfield sites
- Enhanced environmental health and safety related to site remediation
- Energy efficiency and alternative energy technologies
- Training in assessment, inventory, analysis, and remediation of brownfield sites
- Use of techniques and methods for cleanup of hazardous substances
- Awareness training in Environmental Stewardship and Environmental Justice
- Training in climate change mitigation and adaption
- inspections of underground storage tanks
- The only required training is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour HAZWOPER.
To view previous successful applications, please visit Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields (KSU TAB) website and use the drop down menu under “Categories” to select proposals. Another great resource for getting started with a Brownfields JT program is the Brownfields-toolbox provided by EPA’s job training technical assistance provider, Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute (HMTRI) of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC). Both KSU TAB and HMTRI can provide technical assistance during the solicitation period.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. Apply here by August 2nd, 2023!
