This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for STL univ MO saint louis university to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities…

Award Summary

Saint Louis University (SLU) received a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 under the Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.815), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this award supports comprehensive workforce development and technical assistance activities authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 104(k)(7). SLU will recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents from targeted zones within the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area, including North St. Louis City and County, South St. Louis City in Missouri, and portions of St. Clair and Madison Counties in Illinois, including East St. Louis and Alton.

Over the four-year performance period, SLU will deliver eight training cohorts across two program tracks: a 192-hour Brownfields Remediation Job Training Program (six cohorts, offered twice annually in years one through three) and a 124-hour Brownfields Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician Job Training Program (two cohorts, offered once in years two and three). Training curricula will include mandatory certifications and skill development in hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER), lead abatement, asbestos abatement, mold remediation, occupational safety and health standards, radiation worker certification, first aid/CPR, and green remediation technologies. Program graduates will obtain industry-recognized certifications necessary to secure full-time employment in environmental remediation and related careers at hazardous waste and contaminated sites.

Description

This project provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for STL univ MO saint louis university 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 specific zones within the ST. Louis metropolitan statistical area (MSA), encompassing both missouri and illinois. In missouri, the program will serve communities in north ST. Louis city, north ST. Louis county, and substantial portions of south ST. Louis city. In illinois, IT will reach the westernmost parts of ST. Clair and madison counties, including east ST. Louis, alton, and surrounding neighborhoods 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 during the four-year EPA brownfields job training grant, a total of eight cohorts will complete training. Two tracks of training will be offered. The 192#8208; hour brownfields remediation job training program will be offered two times each year for the first three years, for a total of six cohorts, and the 124#8208; hour brownfields GIS tech job training program will be offered once in year 2 and once in year 3, for a total of two brownfields GIS cohorts. 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: orientation - SLU, ceet, introduction to environmental - SLU, ceet, first aid/CPR- red cross OSHA 10-HR construction - OSHA radiation worker I - niehs lead abatement worker - MO and IL license mold remediation - niehs lead renovator, repair, painting - EPA asbestos abatement - MO and IL license 40 HR., hazwoper - niehs and OSHA soil and water sampling and monitoring, UST - SLU ceet fall protection OSHA 7405 - OSHA excavation and trenching OSHA 7410 - OSHA permit REQ confined space OSHA 7300 - OSHA rcra / hazardous waste management - SLU ceet geographic info systems - SLU ceet enviro phase I site assessment - SLU ceet ecosystem restoration - SLU ceet 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 specific zones within the ST. Louis metropolitan statistical area (MSA), encompassing both missouri and illinois subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will provide training to focused on specific zones within the ST. Louis metropolitan statistical area (MSA), encompassing both missouri and illinois. These targeted areas are characterized by persistent poverty, high unemployment, legacy pollution, and a disproportionate burden of environmental hazards. In missouri, the program will serve communities in north ST. Louis city, north ST. Louis county, and substantial portions of south ST. Louis city. In illinois, IT will reach the westernmost parts of ST. Clair and madison counties, including east ST. Louis, alton, and surrounding neighborhoods. These communities are predominantly composed of low-income and minority populations and are home to a high concentration of brownfields, superfund sites, and other contaminated properties. The presence of these sites not only impedes economic development but also exacerbates public health challenges. The anticipated deliverables are: 61 individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites an