This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for iowa western community college to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as…

Iowa Western Community College received a $478,474 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Region 7) under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.815), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2030. Funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the award supports workforce development and environmental remediation training for unemployed and underemployed residents in Council Bluffs, Iowa and North Omaha, Nebraska. The college will recruit and train 96 students and place 69 graduates in environmental careers through an 86-hour instructional curriculum.

The training program delivers industry-recognized certifications and technical skills necessary for hazardous waste remediation work, including Asbestos Abatement Worker Training, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Lead Awareness, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) 40-hour certification, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety, and OSHA Hazard Communication. Supplemental instruction covers green remediation technologies, stormwater management, emergency planning, and chemical safety. Iowa Western will report interim progress and final accomplishments through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES), with ongoing oversight by EPA project officers and grants specialists throughout the performance period.

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for iowa western community college to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERCLA) 104(K)(7). The recipient will recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of council bluffs, IA and north omaha, NE 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; asbestos abatement worker training, occupational safety and health administration lead awareness, hazardous waste operations and emergency response 40, occupational safety and health administration 10-hour general industry safety, and occupational safety and health administration hazard communication. Iowa western community college plans to train 96 students and place 69 in environmental jobs. The training program includes 86 hours of instructional training. 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 asbestos abatement worker training, occupational safety and health administration lead awareness, hazardous waste operations and emergency response 40, occupational safety and health administration 10-hour general industry safety, and occupational safety and health administration hazard communication. 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). This project will provide training to iowa western community college is targeting unemployed, underemployed, and economically underserved adults, as well as veterans within the city of council bluffs, IA, and north omaha, NE, extending into the omaha-council bluffs MSA subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to underemployed residents of council bluffs, IA and north omaha, NE. The anticipated deliverables are: 96 individuals recruited and enrolled in training. 76 individuals trained and certified. 69 graduates placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 12 classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 5 curricula of appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 96 enrolled individuals will receive certifications in occupational safety and health administration (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 sustainable community revitalization 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 particularly impacted communities, including those that are impacted by a variety of waste facilities, blighted properties, contaminated sites, and other environmental issues. -enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities.