EPA Selects 25 Organizations to Receive $12 Million in Brownfields Job Training Grants to Boost Local Economies and Clean Up Communities

EPA Selects 25 Organizations to Receive $12 Million in Brownfields Job Training Grants to Boost Local Economies and Clean Up Communities

February 6, 2026

WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of $12 million in Brownfields Job Training Grants to 25 granteesin communities across the United States. This funding will help grantees recruit, train, and place workers for community revitalization and cleanup projects at Brownfield sites. EPA's Brownfields Program helps grow local economies and support efforts to assess and clean up contaminated sites and return blighted properties to productive use.

"These grants reflect our dedication to improving quality of life for American families by achieving both the environmental stewardship and economic vitality that helps Power the Great American Comeback," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management John Busterud. "These grants lift up communities by giving local people the tools they need to shape their own future. They help neighborhoods clean up and transform contaminated sites into places that support jobs, small businesses, and more. Together with our state and local partners, we are building lasting opportunity close to home."

Each job training grant will provide up to $500,000 to organizations dedicated to creating a skilled workforce in communities where Brownfield site assessment, cleanup, and preparation for reuse activities are underway. Participants often overcome various employment barriers and graduate with certifications that enhance their marketability, ensuring long-term environmental careers. Certifications include:

• Lead and asbestos abatement.
• Hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
• Mold remediation.
• Environmental sampling and analysis.
• Other environmental health and safety training.

Selected applicants include:

• PathStone Corporation
• Auberle
• Coalfield Development Corporation
• Urban League of Greater Atlanta*
• OAI, Inc.^C
• Green Door Initiative
• Recycle Force
• Summit and Medina Workforce Area Council of Governments*
• Limitless Vistas, Inc.
• City of Austin Economic Development Department*^C
• Southern University at Shreveport
• Ventura County*
• Hunters Point Family
• City of Carson*
• Nevadaworks*
• City of Richmond
• Anchor of Hope International Ministries*^C
• San Diego State University Research Foundation*
• Cypress Mandela
• San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps*
• PWT United Inc.*
• Port of Oakland*
• Sierra Institute for Community and Environment*
• Alaska Forum, Inc.
• Kalispel Tribe of Indians*

*First-time Brownfields Job Training Grant recipients.

^C Coalition

For more information on the selected Brownfields Job Training Grant recipients, including past grant recipients, please visit EPA's Grant Factsheet Tool.

Background

EPA's Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, Brownfields investments have leveraged more than $42 billion for cleanup and redevelopment and have created more than 220,500 American jobs. Since 1998, EPA has awarded 456 grants totaling over $119 million through Brownfield Job Training Programs. With these grants, more than 23,400 individuals have completed training and over 17,400 individuals have been placed in careers related to land remediation and environmental health and safety. Over the last five years, the average starting wage for these individuals is approximately $23 per hour. If your organization is considering applying for or has a question related to Brownfields Job Training Grants, submit a technical assistance request to EPA at the Brownfields Job Training Technical Assistance form.

For more information on this and other types of Brownfields Grants, please visit EPA's Brownfields Types of Funding webpage.