This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the city of texarkana, texas to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as…

This Cooperative Agreement award, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.815), will fund the City of Texarkana, Texas to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities. The $500,000 award, effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029, will enable Texarkana to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents in environmental careers with skills needed for remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites. The training program will provide certifications in areas such as HAZWOPER, HAZMAT, OSHA, first aid/CPR, and forklift operation. The key expected outcomes include helping residents access jobs created by brownfield assessment and cleanup, providing sustainable environmental employment, and improving community involvement and partnerships. The City of Texarkana has subawarded $318,554 to Texarkana College to deliver the training program.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the city of texarkana, texas 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 the city of texarkana, texas 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, storm water management, emergency planning and chemical safety. The goal is to recruit, train and place unemployed and underemployed persons age 18 and over, disadvantaged, low income and persons of color. Texarkana's training program is based on providing transferable skills, knowledge, and certifications that employers find useful for entry-level employees to possess. This training will enable graduates to increase their earning potential and begin to earn a living wage. This training is designed with the local industry's needs in mind. 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 are cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)/bloodborne pathogens, forklift operator, and commercial driver's license (CDL) with a hazardous materials endorsement to ensure the ability to work in the environmental industry. 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). This program will ensure the ability to work in the environmental industry. The bloodborne pathogens is an eligible training activity, however, as directed by OGC - the training must only cover how to mitigate safety risks from bloodborne pathogens in a site remediation setting. Training in manufacturing activities falls outside the scope of the brownfields job training program.subrecipient:costs totaling $318,554.00 in task 2 instruction/training is to cover the cost of each training course for participants. This is estimated at $318,554.00 for tract 1 that includes class a CDL-hazardous materials endorsement, hazwoper, hazmat, OSHA 10, first aid/ CPR, and forklift operator. This budget line item is also includes tract 2 that includes hazwoper, hazmat, OSHA 30, first aid/CPR/bloodborne pathogens, and forklift operator. The cost of each tract may change if recruitment weighs more toward one tract than the other. Texarkana college has the subaward.outcomes:this project will provide training to the city of texarkana, texas. The anticipated deliverables for are: 44 of individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 41 of classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 40 of appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 1 individual that 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 OT