This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for great lakes community conservation corps to conduct eligible technical assistance-related…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Brownfields Job Training program (CFDA 66.815), provides $500,000 in funding to the Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps Inc. to conduct workforce development activities in Racine, Wisconsin. The project will recruit, train, and place 200 unemployed and underemployed residents, particularly targeting minority groups, veterans, and ex-offenders, in environmental careers related to the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites. The training includes 17 environmental courses, 6 federal certifications, and OSHA HAZWOPER training, leading to the placement of 160 individuals in sustainable environmental jobs. This initiative aims to help residents of communities impacted by environmental contamination access employment opportunities created by brownfield and waste site remediation, while also fostering community involvement, reducing environmental exposures, and enhancing the local labor pool for environmental remediation.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for great lakes community conservation corps to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by cercla 104(k)(7). The recipient will recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of racine, wisconsin in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in green remediation technologies, phytoremediation, chemical safety awareness, mold remediation, lead renovation, repair and painting, amongst others.activities:this project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Activities to be performed during under this project include seventeen (17) environmental courses at the advanced or awareness level and six federal certifications. Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres).subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to residents of racine, wisconsin, targeting minority groups, the unemployed, veterans and EX-offenders. The anticipated deliverables for are: two-hundred (200) individuals enrolled and one hundred sixty (160) placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. Eight (8) training cycles. Six (6) appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. A minimum of one hundred sixty (160) individuals that will receive certifications in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour hazwoper training. Expected outcomes from this project include: -help residents of communities take advantage of jobs created by the assessment and cleanup of brownfields and the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities while addressing environmental justice concerns. -provide training that leads to sustainable employment in the environmental field. -improve community involvement and stimulate the development of constructive partnerships. -reduce exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants and improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents. -foster self-sufficiency and enhance the skills and availability of labor for environmental remediation in environmental justice and other communities impacted by environmental contamination. -enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.