HI
                            CD
 Brownfields  2003

 Grant Fact  Sheet

  Coalition for a Better Acre,

             Lowell,  MA


EPA Brownfields Program

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up,
and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is
real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse
of which may be complicated by the presence or
potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant,
or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George
W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability
Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the
Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to
eligible applicants through four competitive grant
programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund
grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. The job
training grants provide training for residents of commu-
nities affected by brownfields to prepare them for
employment in the assessment and cleanup of
brownfields sites. Additionally, funding support is
provided to state and tribal response programs through
a separate mechanism.

Community Description

The Coalition for a Better Acre was selected to
receive a job training grant. The Coalition for a Better
Acre is located in Lowell, MA, a Brownfields Show-
case Community. The Lowell Enterprise Community
(EC) population is diverse, with 24% Asians, 26%
Hispanics, 6% African American, and 6% multi-racial
residents. The city has lost 58% of its manufacturing
jobs, which has raised its unemployment rate. The
Massachusetts Department of Labor projects mat the
number of jobs for hazardous waste removal workers
will increase by 16.5% over the next five years. The
   Job Training Grant
New!
2003J
   $200,000

   EPA has selected the Coalition for a Better Acre
   in Lowell for a brownfields job training grant.
   The Coalition for a Better Acre will provide
   training to 48 residents, achieve a placement rate
   of 83%, and track students for a year. The 256-
   hour training program will include hazardous
   material handling, Phase I environmental site
   assessment, environmental sampling of soil and
   water, and asbestos inspection. Students will be
   recruited from among low-income residents of
   the Lowell Enterprise Community. Students will
   be placed through the Coalition for a Better
   Acre's existing relationships with area employers
   and labor unions.
   Contacts
   For further information, including specific grant
   contacts, additional grant information, brownfields
   news and events, and publications and links, visit
   the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/
   brownfields.

   EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team
   617-918-1210
   http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/

   Grant Recipient: Coalition for a Better Acre
   978-452-7523 x805

   Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003,
   the Coalition for a Better Acre has not received
   funding for brownfields grants.
demand in this employment category will increase
because of the number of brownfield sites in the state.
Employers have told the Coalition for a Better Acre mat
they are looking for employees with a solid grounding in
sampling techniques, site assessment, air quality monitor-
ing, and other environmental technician skills. The grant
will train local residents impacted by brownfields to
address the city's Brownfields Pilot sites.
                                                  Solid Waste and
                                                  Emergency Response
                                                  (5105T)
                         EPA 500-F-03-025
                         May 2003
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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