EPA Announces Availability of Funding for Brownfields Job Training Program Grants

07:25AM / Sunday, August 03, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2026 Brownfields Job Training Grants Program.

These grants put the agency's commitment to protect human health and the environment into action while remaining good stewards of tax dollars and advancing policies to energize the economy.

"The Brownfields Job Training Grants Program is a prime example of how we can be both environmental stewards and champions of good-paying jobs for American families," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water, while directly strengthening local economies."

This funding helps communities address challenges posed by Brownfields through robust job training programs that work alongside remediation and redevelopment efforts. Grant awards are selected through a competitive process and are available for up to $500,000 with a project period of up to five years. The total amount of funding available for the competition is estimated to range from $10,000,000 to $14,000,000.

The grant application may be found on https://www.Grants.gov and applicants must apply by September 26, 2025. For more information, visit EPA's Brownfields Job Training Grants website.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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