^ Brownfields 2010 Job Training Grant Fact Sheet Durham, NC EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states. communities, and other stakeholders 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. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country cleanup and revitalize brownfields sites. Under this 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. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The City of Durham was selected to receive a job training grant. Durham's (population 187,035) recruitment efforts will focus on Northeast Central Durham and nearby neighborhoods (population 9,421). In the target neighborhoods, 88.1 percent of residents are minorities, and 36.3 percent of residents live below the poverty level. The unemployment rate is 15 percent. Closures of prominent industries during the past 20 years have left almost 30 brownfields in the area, including chemical and manufacturing facilities, scrap yards, and railroad properties. The area has been neglected as these facilities closed and investment slowed. Labor market assessments indicate a strong demand for employees with training in green industries and environmental technology. The assessments also found that environmental technology and green companies are interested in workers trained in solar and photovoltaic technologies, energy efficiency, and weatherization, indicating a demand for program graduates. Job Training Grant $200,000 EPA has selected the City of Durham for a job training grant. Durham plans to train 48 students, place 31 graduates in environmental jobs, and track graduates for at least one year. The training program will consist of three 10-week, 200-hour training cycles. Trainees will receive certifications in 40-hour HAZWOPER, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, and air quality/mold. Training also will be provided in photovoltaic/green awareness, soil and water management, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Primary trainers will be instructors from Durham Technical Community College. Students will be recruited from among disadvantaged residents and ex-offenders residing in Northeast Central Durham and other target neighborhoods. To place graduates in environmental jobs, Durham will work with the Durham JobLink Career Center and seven environmental technology employers. 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 (http://www.epa.gov/brownfields). EPA Region 4 Brownfields Team (404) 562-8792 EPA Region 4 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/region4/was te/bf) Grant Recipient: City of Durham,NC (919) 560-4965 ext 15219 The information presented in this fact sheet comes from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The cooperative agreement for the grant has not yet been negotiated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20450 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-10-249 April 2010 ------- United States Q ., . ,A/__t,. Environmental bona waste EPA 560-F-10-249 _, and Emergency •, o™^ Protection Agency Resoonse (51 osn Apnl 201 ° Washington, DC 20450 Kesponse (bl Ob I) ------- |