On April 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $117 million in funding for 17 technical assistance centers across the country for communities with environmental justice (EJ) challenges. Known as Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs), these regional and national centers will receive up to $10 million each to assist environmental justice communities in removing barriers and capacity building. Overburdened, underserved and rural counties face challenges accessing federal resources and technical assistance, limiting their ability to overcome critical energy- and environment-related obstacles and build a sustainable economic future. These new technical assistance centers aim to address this disparity and provide the support these communities need to thrive.

The EJ TCTAC Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Initiative, which provides technical assistance and capacity building resources to local entities most in need.

The new EJ TCTACs include:

              Regional Centers

• University of Connecticut
• West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. (dba WE ACT for Environmental Justice)
• Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-Metropolitan Campus
• National Wildlife Federation
• Research Triangle Institute (RTI International)
• Blacks in Green (BIG)
• University of Minnesota
• Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ)
• New Mexico State University
• Wichita State University
• University of Arizona
• San Diego State University
• Willamette Partnership
• University of Washington

National Centers

• International City/County Management Association
• Institute for Sustainable Communities
• National Indian Health Board

Click here to see a complete awardee partner list and their locations.

Communities impacted by EJ challenges seeking federal technical assistance and funding opportunities can work with their local partners to assist them with the grant application process. The EJ TCTAC system is designed to connect communities with grants that specifically meet their needs. This system offers technical assistance for the entire process for grants, including grant tracking, application preparation and efficient fund management.

NACo has long supported the expansion of federal technical assistance programs. The EJ TCTAC system will allow underserved and overburdened communities to access the resources necessary to submit strong federal grant applications.