I JBt | Brownfields 2004 Job Training Grant Fact Sheet XT~/ Groundwork Providence Inc., Providence, RI 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 Groundwork Providence, Inc. (GWP) of Providence, RI was selected to receive a job training grant. The focus of the grant is the City of Pawtucket (population 72,958). The target neighborhoods for job training are the four federally designated Enterprise Communities (EC) in the city. These communities are home to 60% of the city's Hispanic population and 68% of the African-American population. Approximately 30% of Pawtucket's households are over 150% below the poverty line. About 25 properties in the city are being considered for economic development or historic preservation. In addition, a new state program offers tax incentives to businesses that occupy and reuse vacant mill properties. These developments, and Pawtucket's involvement in the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund partnership with the state, have created the potential for brownfields-related jobs for EC residents with the appropriate environmental training. Job Training Grant $150,000 EPA has selected Groundwork Providence, Inc. for a job training grant. GWP plans to train 75 students, graduate 90% of trainees, achieve at least a 75% placement rate, and track students through their employers for one year. The training program will consist of 154 hours of classroom, laboratory, and hands-on experience in hazardous waste and safety training, lead and asbestos abatement, confined space entry, and environmental chemistry and safety. Students will be recruited from the residents of the four Enterprise Communities in the City of Pawtucket. Placement in environmental jobs will be facilitated by GWP programs for identifying employment opportunities and establishing community hiring agreements with local and regional 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 1 Brownfields Team (617) 918-1424 EPA Region 1 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/regionl/bro wnfields ) Grant Recipient: Groundwork Providence Inc., Providence, RI (401)351-6440 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 500-F-04-007 Protection Agency Response (5105T) March 2004 Washington, DC 20450 Kesponse (si us ) ------- |