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EPA Invests $41 million in New Technical Assistance to Help Communities Address Wastewater Challenges

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This investment illustrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to changing the odds for underserved communities

WASHINGTON (April 27, 2023)  – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $41 million in new technical assistance funding under America’s Water Infrastructure Act to help communities address urgent wastewater challenges. The new funding, awarded to nine technical assistance providers across the country, will primarily help rural, small, and Tribal communities assess water needs, identify solutions, and access funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal programs. This action advances progress under President Biden’s EJ Strong Initiative by making a tangible difference in communities with legacy environmental justice concerns.

“Every person in every community deserves to have effective and dependable wastewater services,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “That’s why we are thrilled to invest $41 million in technical assistance for underserved small, rural, and Tribal communities that often lack this necessity. This is another way EPA is working to change the odds for disadvantaged communities and support investments in essential water infrastructure.”

Communities can request assistance by visiting the agency’s Water Technical Assistance webpage.

Many rural, small, and Tribal systems face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. EPA’s grant funding will be used to assess communities most pressing challenges, provide training on water infrastructure and management best practices, help communities navigate the federal funding application process, and strategically invest in reliable infrastructure solutions.

The Rural, Small, and Tribal Technical Assistance providers serve an important role in helping to ensure that rural, small, and Tribal communities that have difficulty in securing public funding receive the help they need to access resources to support infrastructure improvements. These providers also support rural, small, and Tribal wastewater treatment systems – centralized and decentralized – to build technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate their systems well and maintain compliance.

“Helping rural, small, and tribal communities is the mission of the National Rural Water Association, and we are thrilled EPA is expanding technical assistance nationally to meet critical wastewater needs,” said National Rural Water Association CEO Matthew Holmes. “Since 1977, NRWA has partnered with EPA to provide on-the-ground, direct assistance to small and rural communities.  Today’s announcement substantially expands this assistance to include more underserved residents than ever, in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We look forward to continuing our partnership with EPA, and applaud their commitment to ensure rural, small, and tribal systems receive the resources and support they need.”

“RCAP is thrilled to continue providing local on-site technical assistance and customized training to rural tribal nations, something we have been doing for fifty years across our nation,” said RCAP CEO Olga Morales Pate.  “We appreciate EPA’s commitment to improving the quality of life in rural America, and we look forward to getting started on this critical work.”

The selected recipients for the Rural, Small, and Tribal Wastewater Technical Assistance Grant Program include:

Priority Area 1: Acquisition of Financing and Funding

These applicants will help rural, small, and Tribal communities plan for and access funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and other sources.

·         Southwest Environmental Finance Center-New Mexico

·         Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.

·         Hudson Valley Regional Council

·         Tennessee Water Resources

·         Alaska Municipal League

Priority Area 2: Protection of Water Quality and Compliance Assistance

This funding will help rural, small, and Tribal communities improve their technical, managerial, and financial capacity and maintain compliance.

·         New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission

·         Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center

·         Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.

·         National Rural Water Association

·         Southwest Environmental Finance Center-New Mexico

Priority Area 3: Tribal Wastewater Systems

This area provides training and technical assistance to tribes across all areas of their Clean Water Infrastructure.

·         Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.

·         National Rural Water Association

·         Southwest Environmental Finance Center-New Mexico

Priority Area 4: Decentralized Wastewater Systems

More than one in five households in the United States rely on septic systems and other decentralized systems, and this priority area focuses on assistance to those communities.

·         Des Moines Area Community College

·         Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.

·         National Rural Water Association

Priority Area 5: Lagoon Wastewater Systems

EPA estimates that lagoon wastewater treatment systems comprise about one-quarter of the wastewater treatment utility systems in the country; the funding will assist lagoon systems in improving water quality and achieving and maintaining compliance.

·         Rural Community Assistance Partnership Inc.

·         National Rural Water Association

Changemaker Highlight of the Week: Imelda Salgado

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EVANSVILLE, IND. (04/27/2023) Imelda Salgado is earning a public health degree with a minor in medical Spanish. She enrolled at the University of Evansville (UE) as a Fellows Scholar in the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As a first-generation college student from Indianapolis, Imelda was shy, quiet, and didn’t always feel comfortable asking for help. However, she wanted to challenge herself and found a way to do that through ChangeLab.

During her freshman year, Imelda was the project coordinator for a ChangeLab course with the goal of ascertaining healthcare challenges of the local Latino community.

With guidance from their professor, Dr. Cindy Crowe, assistant professor of Spanish, Imelda’s ChangeLab team dug deep and made a difference. Through surveys and interviews, focus groups and translation services, they brought important healthcare resources directly to the community members who needed them.

“I couldn’t believe I was the one making the phone calls and talking to people – this was so outside my comfort zone, but it’s exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to challenge myself, and UE gave me that chance,” Imelda says.

Imelda has worked with the Latino Community Healthcare ChangeLab ever since her freshman year, growing the project from communication, education, and vaccine access during the COVID-19 pandemic to broader access to healthcare resources and language learning. The group has made connections in local schools to help young Latino students have a safe afterschool activity where they could feel comfortable practicing English. The ChangeLab also hosts regular meetings at a local church where they provide adult English learners opportunity to learn and practice the language.

Imelda is a true changemaker. She is always unafraid to live outside her comfort zone while pursuing meaningful change and has grown in leadership capabilities and confidence every step of the way.

Otters announce Fifth Third Bank family nights

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters and Fifth Third Bank are excited to announce a partnership to bring fans Fifth Third Bank Family Nights every Tuesday at Bosse Field.

“We are very excited to partner with Fifth Third Bank to bring families such an affordable package to enjoy games this summer at Bosse Field.”

Debuting in 2023, Fifth Third Bank Family Nights are a great way to get the whole family out to Bosse Field this summer. Each Tuesday home game, families of four can receive four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four drinks all for $40 ($55 value).

These packages can only be purchased online or by visiting the front office prior to the game date. They cannot be purchased at the gate on Tuesday nights. To purchase online, enter code “5/3 Bank” when you have four GA tickets in your cart for a Tuesday game.

DELTA SIGNA THETA SORORITY “RED SHOE” LUNCHEON SCHEDULE FOR MAY 1

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 Evansville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Announces Red Shoe Luncheon Honoring Local Women Leaders 

(Evansville, IN) – The Evansville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., celebrates 45 years of service in the Evansville community and will hold a luncheon on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 11:30 am at Venue 812, 1401 N. Boeke Road, Evansville, IN 47715. The Red Shoe Luncheon will honor women in the Evansville community who are leading in areas that support Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s mission and the Five-Point Programmatic Thrust – Economic Development; Educational Development; International Awareness and Involvement; Physical and Mental Health; and Political Awareness and Involvement. In addition to recognizing outstanding women in the community, the event includes a scrumptious meal and entertainment. 

Founded in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide services and programs to promote human welfare. The Evansville Alumnae Chapter was chartered on April 22, 1978. Programs throughout the years include building homes for families under the Habitat for Humanity program, voter registration drives, hosting seminars on women’s health issues, mentoring programs for young girls, and a scholarship fund to assist students with expenses upon entering college. 

Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased by visiting www.evansvilledeltas.com. To obtain additional information, email the Chapter at DSTEvansvilleAlum@gmail.com or contact Diane Clements-Boyd at (812) 457-1148. 

FOOTNOTE: This is a reminder of the upcoming Red Shoe Luncheon sponsored by the Evansville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The luncheon will honor women leaders in our community and also celebrates 45 years of service in the Evansville community.

The proceeds from the event support scholarship initiatives. The deadline to purchase sponsorships and tickets is May 1, 2023.

To learn more about the Evansville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and to reserve tickets, please visit https://www.evansvilledeltas.com/.

Regards,

Diane Clements-Boy

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Courier Warrants

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours

Vanderburgh County Crash Reports

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Crash Report

Eagles hit the road to SIUE for OVC series

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball begins a four-game road swing in Illinois when it visits Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series. The first pitch of the series in Edwardsville, Illinois, is Friday at 5 p.m. before continuing Saturday and concluding Sunday at 1 p.m. each day.

The four-game road trip concludes Tuesday when the Screaming Eagles visit Southern Illinois University for a 6 p.m. contest in Carbondale, Illinois. Following the road trip, USI comes home for a four-game homestand that starts April 3 with Miami University (OH) and concludes May 5-7 with a three-game series with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Senate and House Republicans unveil their final proposed budget

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Senate and House Republicans unveil their final proposed budget

INDIANAPOLIS—Meeting for 20 minutes to highlight their final, compromised state budget proposal, Republican legislative leaders fulfilled their earlier promises to increase funding for health care in Indiana.

Public health

During the conference committee meeting on the budget last week, many Democrats requested more funding for public health, with a priority on mental health in the state.

At the time, Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, promised more funds would be pushed aside for health, though at the time, lawmakers didn’t realize they’d receive an additional $1.5 billion from the revenue forecast the day after Tax Day.

Following through, the final proposed budget puts $75 million in fiscal year 2024 and $150 million in fiscal year 2025 toward local public health. President Pro Tempore Sen. Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, said the financial increase was “all in an effort to make sure that Indiana is safer but also healthier to go forward over the next few years.”

The proposed budget puts $50 million a year toward mental health funding and $1 million a year toward child behavioral health services.

Lawmakers put $2 million a year in veteran suicide prevention as well.

The budget invests almost $2 billion for K-12 education over the next two years and also includes a 23% increase for non-English speaking program per-student grants.

The final budget proposal also reflects the House’s desire to expand private school voucher eligibility. In the Senate’s original budget, it kept eligibility the same.

Following through on Gov. Eric Holcomb’s wish to eliminate textbook fees, the budget also allocates funds to cover costs for learning materials like textbooks and iPads.

Additionally, the budget increases funding for the On-My-Way Pre-K while also expanding the program.

Economic development

Funding a variety of capital projects, the budget puts money toward the following infrastructure plans across the state:

  • $120 million for capital projects for IU Indianapolis and Purdue Indianapolis after the IUPUI split

  • $26 million for airport improvement projects

  • $97 million for the state archives buildings

  • $100 million for a new inn at Potato Creek State Park

  • $800 million for correctional facility upgrades

House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said he’s excited to fund IU and Purdue on their future endeavors downtown.

“I think it’s transformational for higher education and Indiana, specifically in Indianapolis,” Huston said.

Also, $5 million will go to Martin University, Indiana’s only predominantly Black institution.

Finally, the budget sets aside $10 million for land conservation and $30 million for Next Level Trails, following Holcomb’s request once again.

For a full breakdown of the budget via PowerPoint, go here.

What now?

The budget will now face the rules committees in each chamber and then be voted on by each chamber. The budget bill is usually the final bill of the legislative session.

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