EPA REGION 5 Recipient: University of Minnesota Applicant Type: Institution of Higher Education Award Amount: $10,000,000 Title: Community Development and Technical Assistance to Advance Environment and Energy Justice in the Great Lakes Region Location: EPA Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI, and 35 tribes) Partners:
University of Minnesota (academic), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (academic), Michigan State University (academic), Purdue University (academic), Ohio State University (academic), Great Plains Institute (non-profit), Environmental Protection Network (non profit), Community Engineering Corps (non-profit), Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (non-profit) Goals and Description: University of Minnesota plans to 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 34 Tribal Nations.
The assembled individuals and institutions have long-standing connections within their states and constituencies, are well- versed in the regulations, policies, procedures, and programmatic requirements of federal, state, local, and private foundation grants, and have decades of experience providing technical assistance in the form of outreach, education, training, leadership development, grant support, and access to specialized expertise. 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, and 3. provide tailored, accessible, culturally appropriate assistance that allows communities to secure funding and resources that materially improve their social, economic, and environmental outcomes. We will deliver these activities through a coordinated network of university extension offices, nonprofit partners, and technical advisors overseen by a central hub based at the Center for Community Vitality at the University of Minnesota.
Our network has experience working collaboratively with rural, remote, and underserved communities through university extension programs and long-term partnerships with community organizations. Extension programs have existing relationships across the states they serve, helping communities navigate federal funding opportunities, providing educational workshops, and delivering site-specific technical assistance in partnership with state agencies. Activating extension staff that represent “boots on the ground” will be especially critical in reaching rural and remote communities throughout Region 5.
Network partners Great Plains Institute and the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association have track records of providing customized and culturally appropriate technical assistance to underserved communities on a range of programs, from community solar to weatherization and energy efficiency training. Partnerships with the Environmental Protection Network and the Community Engineering Corps bring technical, policy, and engineering expertise, including experience working with a range of communities of all capacities.
Collectively, the TAC network represents individuals and programs with expertise in community development, renewable energy, tribal governments, community engagement, environmental justice, air and water pollution, natural resource management, environmental remediation and restoration, and