On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host an event showcasing the launch of the Mountain and Plains Thriving Communities Collaborative that will help communities in Montana access valuable environmental justice resources.
Montana State University leads the MapTCC partnership across Region 8 established through the EPA Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program. MapTCC will provide guidance and training for grant writing, project management, budgeting and more related to securing and administering federal and state grants to help eligible entities make their communities safer, healthier and greener. Requests for assistance can be made on their website.
Previously, any assistance requests were fielded by a national-level program. The EPA Region 8 MapTCC program will serve six states and 28 Tribal nations, including Montana, with a focus on underserved and rural communities facing environmental justice concerns.
Funding for this more than $10 million program was provided by the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda.
WHAT:
The EPA invites reporters to a special MapTCC launch event highlighting the new program and its partnership with land grant universities in Montana and throughout the mountains and plains region. Learn about what the program has to offer, who can participate and how these services can impact local communities facing environmental justice concerns.
WHO:
- KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator
- Emma Kerr-Carpenter, State Representative
- Wilmot Collins, Helena Mayor
- Dr. Julia Haggarty, MaPTCC Co-Founder
- Ben Williamson, MaPTCC Project Manager
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 7, starting at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: MSU Billings Campus Atrium, 1500 University Dr., Billings