^ Brownfields 2009 Job Training Grant Fact Sheet
Gary
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. 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. Additionally, funding support is provided
to state and tribal response programs through a separate
mechanism.
Community Description
The City of Gary was selected to receive a job training
grant. Gary (population 102,746) is located in northwest
Indiana, approximately 25 miles from downtown Chicago.
Over the last 30 years, the city has lost jobs, population,
and businesses, resulting in the creation of hundreds of
brownfields. These brownfields include former industrial
sites, abandoned commercial and residential properties,
and scores of abandoned gas stations. The loss of tax
revenues has critically impacted the city's economy.
African-Americans make up 84 percent of city residents,
and approximately 34 percent of this population lives
below the poverty level. The city is home to a federally
designated Empowerment Zone. The cleanup and
redevelopment of brownfields have been recognized as
key factors in the revitalization of Gary. Based on recent
labor market studies, employment opportunities for
construction laborers are expected to grow in the area
through 2012, fueled in part by a continued emphasis on
environmental remediation and on rebuilding the city's
infrastructure. In addition, the use of solar and renewable
energy is expected to double over the next few years.
Job Training Grant
$200,000
EPA has selected the City of Gary for a job
training grant. The city plans to train up to 75
students, graduate a minimum of 60 trainees,
place at least 65 percent of graduates in
environmental jobs, and track graduates for at
least one year. The training program will consist
of three 12-week, 263-hour training cycles and
three refresher courses. Courses will include
HAZWOPER and OSHA 10 training, lead and
asbestos abatement certification, energy audit and
green building training, and natural resource and
native plant landscaping management. Primary
training will be conducted by selected contractors
with knowledge of the city's job environment,
environmental justice concerns, and natural
resource management practices. Students will be
recruited from unemployed and underemployed
city residents. The city will work with local
industries, union apprentice programs, and
environmental companies to place graduates in
environmental jobs.
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 5 Brownfields Team
(312)886-7576
EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site
(http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfiel ds)
Grant Recipient: Gary
(219) 882-3000
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
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20450
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA560-F-09-010
January 2009
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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)
EPA560-F-09-010
January 2009
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