Brownfields 2009 Job Training Grant Fact Sheet New Bedford f D \ PRO"11 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 New Bedford was selected to receive a job training grant. Located in southeastern Massachusetts, New Bedford (population 91,869) has a rich industrial and maritime history due to its deep-water port and easy access to the sea. As a result of declining industrial activity, the city has lost 11,000 manufacturing jobs and has been left with clusters of underused or abandoned textile mills, electronic manufacturing facilities, and other industrial sites, many of which are located adjacent to densely populated, low-income neighborhoods. Over 21 percent of New Bedford families with children live in poverty, and the unemployment rate is more than eight percent. Brownfield cleanups are underway or planned for several mill, electronics, and tool sites. A recent employer survey indicated a need for skilled, entry-level environmental technicians. One company projects a need to hire 17 environmental technicians by 2010. Job Training Grant $200,000 EPA has selected the City of New Bedford for a job training grant. Students will be recruited from among the city's unemployed and underemployed residents in brownfields-impacted neighborhoods. New Bedford plans to train a total of 60 students in two tracks, place 33 graduates in environmental jobs, and track students for one year. The environmental competency track includes 344 hours of coursework and certifications in HAZWOPER; asbestos, lead, and mold abatement; hazardous substance transportation; vapor intrusion; and alternative technologies. The higher-education track consists of 465 hours of training in site evaluation and GIS, incident management, hazardous waste management, and general chemistry. Trainees who complete the higher-education track will receive up to 25 college credit hours. The primary trainer will be Bristol Community College. New Bedford will work with the Greater New Bedford Career Center 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 1 Brownfields Team (617) 918-1424 EPA Region 1 Brownfields Web site (http: //www. epa.gov/region 1 /brownfields) Grant Recipient: New Bedford (508) 991-6263 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 c Environmental anri Fmpflpn™ EPA 560-F-09-005 nil- a ancl Emergency . Protection Agency Response (5105T) Jan 09 Washington, DC 20450 ^ v ' ------- United States c Environmental anri Fmpflpn™ EPA 560-F-09-005 _ . . and Emergency . Protection Agency Response (5105T) Jan 09 Washington, DC 20450 ^ v ' ------- |