EPA Announces Availability of Funding for Brownfields Job Training Program Grants

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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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Teacher of the Month: Nickole Halvorsen

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For many students, kindergarten is their first experience in a school setting and the beginning of ongoing growth and change throughout their lives.
 
Kindergarten teacher Nickole Halvorsen strives to instill in her students the foundational academic and social-emotional skills they need to succeed not only in her classroom, but throughout their educational journey and beyond.
 
It is this dedication, along with the fun, safe and welcoming environment that students describe her as cultivating, that has earned her the iBerkshires.com Teacher of the Month designation.
 
The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, features distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here.
 
The end of the year was bittersweet for Halvorsen and her students as they said goodbye to Morningside Community School, which closed its doors for the final time in May
 
"Now at the end of the year, it gets sad and a little more emotional, especially this year because this is our last year at Morningside," she said during her interview in May.
 
So, really focusing on coming in, being here, being present [and] consistent for them matters the most for me, and they make me want to be here. I want to have fun with them. I want to enjoy every last bit we can of being in the school building." 
 
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