00E03450

Description:
The Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center will leverage existing university extension networks and technical service providers to reach remote, rural, and underserved communities across EPA Region 5, including the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio and 35 tribal nations.

Activities:
The proposed Great Lakes Environmental Justice Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is oriented around three interrelated activities:
1. Identify underserved and overburdened communities who could benefit from environmental and energy-related programs.
2. Build capacity for communities to engage in environmental decision making and access technical assistance.
3. Provide tailored, accessible, culturally appropriate assistance that allows communities to secure funding and resources that materially improve their social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Subrecipient:
Activities include providing technical assistance to Region 5 communities and individuals, running workshops, communicating about funding opportunities, and other related activities.

Outcomes:
The anticipated deliverables for the TCTAC include: a web portal, minutes and trainings related to community workshops, records of applicants assisted, and other related materials. Expected outcomes include:
1. Higher capacity for communities, non-profit organizations, and individuals to apply for grant opportunities.
2. Improved connections between communities and technical assistance resources.
3. Increased participation in federal and state environmental and energy decision-making as evidenced by greater participation in public engagement, outreach, EPA and DOE programs, public comments, and EJ communities occupying positions of power in local and federal decision-making bodies.

The intended beneficiaries are the people of Region 5, including the residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as the members of the 35 federally-recognized tribes present in the region.

Regents Of The University Of Minnesota

2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 1 - A CLEANER, HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT 1.1 - IMPROVE AIR QUALITY 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.1 - CLEAN UP AND RESTORE LAND FOR PRODUCTIVE USES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.1 - CLEAN UP AND RESTORE LAND FOR PRODUCTIVE USES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 7 - ENSURE SAFETY OF CHEMICALS FOR PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 7.1 - ENSURE CHEMICAL AND PESTICIDE SAFETY 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 1 - A CLEANER, HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT 1.3 - REVITALIZE LAND AND PREVENT CONTAMINATION 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVA

66.309 - Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training and Special Purpose Activities Relating to Environmental Justice

EPA Region 5: Chicago [EPA - RO]

Minnesota United States

State-Wide

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program (EJ TCTAC) (EPA-I-OP-OEJ-22-02)

Termination This cooperative agreement was reported on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) partial or complete termation list as of its last report October 2025. See All
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 05/31/28 to 02/21/25 and the total obligations have increased 100% from $4,000,000 to $8,000,000.