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 ------- |