Federal Grant Award Summary

The Center For Rural Development, Inc. received a $250,000 Project Grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the Interagency Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants program (CFDA 20.703), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award supports the organization's delivery of Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) services, authorizing training for hazmat instructors who will subsequently train hazardous materials employees. The funding enables The Center to enhance hazmat transportation safety and emergency preparedness capabilities by developing qualified instructors capable of delivering comprehensive hazmat employee training across the United States.

As a nonprofit organization with established expertise in emergency management and hazardous materials training, The Center For Rural Development will utilize the award to identify qualified instructors, develop or enhance instructor training curricula, and measure the projected impact on hazmat transportation safety. The HMIT competitive grant program prioritizes organizations demonstrating quantified training needs, instructor development capacity, cost-efficiency, and the ability to track program outcomes. This award aligns with PHMSA's broader objective to strengthen public sector hazardous materials emergency response capabilities and improve the safety and efficiency of hazmat accident and incident handling across state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions.