Pappas Helps Welcome $10 Million in Federal Funding to Help NH Communities Address Environmental Justice Challenges

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in announcing that the University of Connecticut’s (UConn) Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) is open and accepting requests from communities and organizations across New England for technical assistance to help address local environmental justice challenges. In New Hampshire, UConn will partner with various organizations to engage with local communities. This is one of 17 TCTACs across the country and was awarded $10 million to support this work for five years. 

This TCTAC will provide critical support to overburdened communities in New Hampshire and across New England. The assistance will help local communities navigate the federal grant application process, strengthen their capacity for community engagement, and ensure they can benefit from funding opportunities from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law.

“I fought to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act to deliver federal resources to New Hampshire communities,” said U.S. Representative Chris Pappas. “This technical assistance center will improve access to these resources for environmental and health challenges that our underserved and rural communities continue to face. I’ll keep working to cut red tape for federal resources that address the needs of Granite Staters and help our communities grow and thrive.”

“We must continue working to break down the barriers that rural and other underserved communities face when applying for and receiving federal funding, which is why programs like Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTAC) are so critical,” says U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “Granite State communities should not hesitate to utilize this resource from EPA Region 1 that will help bring more federal dollars to those that need it the most.”  

“You shouldn’t need an advanced degree to navigate and access federal funding opportunities,” said U.S. Representative Annie Kuster. “UCONN’s designation as a regional technical assistance center will help empower often underserved communities all across New Hampshire and New England by providing training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, setting them up for success in the years to come.”

“Too often, communities with the most pressing environmental justice concerns have been left behind due to barriers in accessing federal funding,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “UConn’s technical assistance center is a game-changer for New England and will provide greater access to services to ensure overburdened and underserved communities and our Tribal nations can access historic investments to address generational environmental and health disparities.”

“As Connecticut’s flagship university, UConn takes pride in service to our communities and helping to prepare them for the environmental challenges they face in the present and the future,” says Pamir Alpay, UConn Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. “With the EPA’s generous support, we are proud to extend our expertise and resourcefulness to support environmental justice throughout the cities, towns, and Tribes of New England.”

These services can be requested through a website, email or by phone. This center will assist eligible entities to identify funding resources and submit funding proposals, write and manage grants, and plan for grant and project implementation.