"The Essential Role of the NFBPA"

Dear Community Member,

The National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) serves as an essential nexus for black public leadership, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, professional development, and mentorship. Through its focus on promoting the success and excellence of black administrators in local and state governments, the NFBPA plays a critical role in enriching public administration with diversity, equity, and innovative leadership. The organization’s commitment to fostering a supportive community where black professionals can thrive is a testament to its foundational importance in shaping the future of public service.

The annual forum hosted by the NFBPA, which took place from April 3-7 this year, stands as a vibrant showcase of the organization's commitment to fostering innovative solutions and leadership in public service. This event brought together a diverse group of individuals who are at the forefront of their fields, offering a series of sessions and panels designed to inspire, educate, and empower attendees. Among the multitude of sessions, the track on "Leadership and Personal Development" was particularly impactful. It provided attendees with valuable insights into creating inclusive workplaces where all employees feel respected and valued, the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting, and the development of supportive work cultures that champion professional growth. Such discussions are vital for building leadership competencies that align with modern workplace expectations and societal needs.

The forum's agenda was meticulously curated to address a wide range of issues pertinent to public administration, including but not limited to affordable housing, homelessness, and educational funding. These discussions are especially relevant for urban settings, where the complexity of social, economic, and environmental challenges demands innovative and tailored solutions.

My participation in the last NFBPA forum, particularly on the elected official’s panel, was an enlightening experience. It was an opportunity to engage with fellow urban mayors, to share the challenges and successes our city has faced, and to learn from the strategies others have implemented in their own communities. The forum was a reminder of the power of collective wisdom and the impact we can achieve when we come together to share solutions and support one another. Shared challenges were discussed not just as issues to be solved but as opportunities to transform our cities into more livable, equitable spaces for all residents.

The NFBPA’s dedication to supporting the next generation of public leaders through its scholarship program exemplifies its commitment to "paying it forward." By offering scholarships to minority students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and leadership in public service fields, the NFBPA invests in the future of public administration. This initiative not only alleviates financial burdens for deserving students but also encourages their continued engagement and leadership in public service, ensuring that the field remains vibrant, diverse, and responsive to the needs of all communities.

In addition to the "Leadership and Personal Development" track, the forum offered sessions across various domains, reflecting the multifaceted nature of public administration. The "Economic Vitality" track, for example, explored critical issues such as addressing the housing crisis, the development of resilient business environments, and strategies for closing the wealth gap. Meanwhile, the "Technology and Innovation" track delved into the impact of artificial intelligence on sustainable development, cybersecurity tactics, and the transformative power of smart city initiatives. These sessions underscore the NFBPA’s holistic approach to public administration, acknowledging the interconnection between leadership, economic vitality, technological advancement, and community health.

The NFBPA's role in shaping the future of public administration cannot be overstated. It nurtures leaders who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but who also carry a deep sense of responsibility to their communities. For anyone looking to make a difference in public service, especially in the complex, dynamic environments of urban areas, the NFBPA is an essential ally. As Mayor, I urge young administrators to engage with this organization, to take advantage of the mentoring and resources it offers, and to contribute their own voices and visions to the ongoing dialogue. Together, through our involvement with the NFBPA, we can forge paths to more equitable, thriving communities across the nation.

#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

Sincerely,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

"El Papel Esencial de la NFBPA"

Querido(a) Community Member,

El Foro Nacional para Administradores Públicos Negros (NFBPA, por sus siglas en inglés) sirve como un nexo esencial para el liderazgo público negro, ofreciendo oportunidades incomparables para la creación de redes, el desarrollo profesional y tutoría. A través de su enfoque en promover el éxito y la excelencia de los administradores negros en los gobiernos locales y estatales, la NFBPA desempeña un papel fundamental en el enriquecimiento de la administración pública con diversidad, equidad y liderazgo innovador. El compromiso de la organización de fomentar una comunidad de apoyo donde los profesionales negros puedan prosperar es un testimonio de su importancia fundamental para dar forma al futuro del servicio público.

El foro anual organizado por la NFBPA, que se llevó a cabo del 3 al 7 de abril de este año, se erige como una muestra vibrante del compromiso de la organización con el fomento de soluciones innovadoras y el liderazgo en el servicio público. Este evento reunió a un grupo diverso de personas que están a la vanguardia de sus campos, ofreciendo una serie de sesiones y paneles diseñados para inspirar, educar y empoderar a los asistentes. Entre la multitud de sesiones, el tema "Liderazgo y Desarrollo Personal" fue particularmente impactante. Proporcionó a los asistentes información valiosa sobre la creación de lugares de trabajo inclusivos en los que todos los empleados se sientan respetados y valorados, la importancia de los informes ESG (ambientales, sociales y de gobernanza) y el desarrollo de culturas de trabajo de apoyo que defiendan el crecimiento profesional. Estas discusiones son vitales para desarrollar competencias de liderazgo que se alineen con las expectativas del lugar de trabajo moderno y las necesidades de la sociedad.

La agenda del foro fue meticulosamente seleccionada para representar una amplia variedad de temas pertinentes a la administración pública, incluidos, entre otros, la vivienda asequible, la falta de vivienda y la financiación de la educación. Estas discusiones son especialmente relevantes para los entornos urbanos, donde la complejidad de los desafíos sociales, económicos y ambientales exige soluciones innovadoras y personalizadas.

Mi participación en el último foro de la NFBPA, particularmente en el panel de funcionarios electos, fue una experiencia esclarecedora. Fue una oportunidad para interactuar con otros alcaldes urbanos, compartir los desafíos y éxitos que nuestra ciudad ha enfrentado, y aprender de las estrategias que otros han implementado en sus propias comunidades. El foro fue un recordatorio del poder de la sabiduría colectiva y del impacto que podemos lograr cuando nos unimos para compartir soluciones y apoyarnos mutuamente. Los desafíos compartidos se discutieron no solo como problemas a resolver, sino como oportunidades para transformar nuestras ciudades en espacios más habitables y equitativos para todos los residentes.

La dedicación de la NFBPA para apoyar a la próxima generación de líderes públicos a través de su programa de becas ejemplifica su compromiso de "devolver el favor". Al ofrecer becas a estudiantes de minorías que demuestran una erudición y un liderazgo excepcionales en los campos del servicio público, la NFBPA invierte en el futuro de la administración pública. Esta iniciativa no solo alivia las cargas financieras de los estudiantes que lo merecen, sino que también fomenta su participación y liderazgo continuos en el servicio público, asegurando que el campo siga siendo vibrante, diverso y receptivo a las necesidades de todas las comunidades.

Además de la asignatura "Liderazgo y desarrollo personal", el foro ofreció sesiones en diversos ámbitos, lo que refleja la naturaleza multifacética de la administración pública. El tema "Vitalidad económica", por ejemplo, exploró temas críticos como la crisis de la vivienda, el desarrollo de entornos empresariales resilientes y estrategias para cerrar la brecha de riqueza. Por su parte, el track "Tecnología e Innovación" profundizó en el impacto de la inteligencia artificial en el desarrollo sostenible, las tácticas de ciberseguridad y el poder transformador de las iniciativas de ciudades inteligentes. Estas sesiones subrayan el enfoque holístico de la NFBPA para la administración pública, reconociendo la interconexión entre el liderazgo, la vitalidad económica, el avance tecnológico y la salud de la comunidad.

No se puede exagerar el papel de la NFBPA en la configuración del futuro de la administración pública. Nutre a líderes que no solo son hábiles y conocedores, sino que también tienen un profundo sentido de responsabilidad hacia sus comunidades. Para cualquiera que busque marcar la diferencia en el servicio público, especialmente en los entornos complejos y dinámicos de las áreas urbanas, la NFBPA es un aliado esencial. Como alcaldesa, insto a los administradores jóvenes a que se comprometan con esta organización, a que aprovechen la tutoría y los recursos que ofrece, y a que contribuyan con sus propias voces y visiones al diálogo en curso. Juntos, a través de nuestra participación en la NFBPA, podemos forjar caminos hacia comunidades más equitativas y prósperas en todo el país.

#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.

Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

Ciudad de Plainfield

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Union County Holds Its First-Ever “Stepping Up to Mental Health Summit” on May 18th

April 11, 2024

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the UC STEP Civic Engagement Project for this year will be a “Stepping Up to Mental Health Summit.” Unlike previous years, Union County has decided to combine all three projects into one powerhouse initiative. The summit is scheduled to take place on May 18th at Oak Ridge Park, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Further event details to follow.

Union County, NJ - “We are so proud of the dedication and creativity demonstrated by our high school students. The collaborative project they worked on this year is a great example of the power of teamwork in improving mental health and well-being,” said Commissioner Chairwoman and Liaison to the Mental Health Advisory Board, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “The students’ ideas were innovative and thoughtful, and have the potential to benefit so many people in our community. Witnessing such inspiring teamwork among our young people is remarkable, and we are excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our community.”

Thanks to the extraordinary responses from our community, ideas presented by teams Light Green, Gold and Maroon will be featured as key components of the final community engagement project- the first ever Union County Stepping Up to Mental Health Summit.

Team Light Green’s idea of hosting a mental health summit will be the main feature of our culminating event. Other activities, including team Maroon’s Embrace(let)s project that focuses on embracing feelings whether they are good or bad will be included at the summit. Participants will make bracelets to spread mental health awareness to emphasize that “it’s okay to not be okay.” To honor Team Gold’s project, Union County will create an online resource portal connecting our youth to mental health resources. By making resources readily available online, we can empower individuals to take proactive steps towards managing their mental health.

Each of the three projects presented at UC STEP address different aspects of mental health and in raising awareness. By pursuing all three initiatives simultaneously, our hope is to create a more holistic strategy that addresses the diverse needs of individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

Students will still have a chance to win the $1,000 START NOW Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

For more information, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org

For more information about UC-STEP, please visit ucnj.org/uc-step/

Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin, Mayor Busch Highlight New Jersey Economic Development Authority Resources to Support Arts and Culture

April 02, 2024

METUCHEN, NJ – Governor Murphy today joined Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Mayor Jonathan Busch to tour the historic Forum Theatre in Metuchen, highlighting the resources available to support the arts and New Jersey’s downtowns.

“Visiting Metuchen’s Forum Theatre today served as a reminder of the venue’s immense potential,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jersey’s cultural hubs – from our theaters to our music venues — bring people together in support of artistic expression and creativity. We look forward to working through the Economic Development Authority to revitalize community treasures across New Jersey, and to watching the Metuchen Arts District continue to take shape over the coming months.”

A $3.5 million grant given to Metuchen from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund facilitated the purchase of the Forum Theatre in 2019. The grant also aids the advancement of an arts and culture hub in Middlesex County: the Metuchen Arts District. The Forum Theatre, located on Main Street, would serve the community as a cornerstone of Metuchen’s downtown and of the Metuchen Arts District.

Governor Murphy signed P.L.2023, c.197 in December of 2023, establishing the Cultural Arts Incentive Program under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The program will provide tax credits to support eligible applicants’ larger-scale projects, including the rehabilitation of theaters, museums, galleries, libraries, performing arts centers, and related efforts to revitalize New Jersey’s downtowns.

The program will award tax credits to cover capital and operating costs of cultural arts institutions seeking to construct or rehabilitate facilities engaged in the cultural, educational, or artistic enrichment of the people of this state. Uplifting these areas is an important investment in the richness of New Jersey’s communities and local economies, building upon the Murphy Administration’s efforts to expand access to the arts and support small and family-owned businesses. Recipients of these tax credits will be more equipped to improve and expand their community programming, bringing residents together and ensuring New Jersey remains one of the best states to live, work, and raise a family.

“From early on in his administration, Governor Murphy has prioritized developing programs that support New Jersey’s arts and culture community and the revitalization of downtowns. Entertainment venues across the state are part of the fabric that make up New Jersey’s rich cultural diversity,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Our cultural hubs are critical to our state’s job market and overall economy and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin, and the entire Legislature on creating programs that will help strengthen and restore community assets.”

“Communities across New Jersey now have resources to revitalize their art and cultural institutions and reap the economic and cultural benefits. I was proud to sponsor legislation to expand these opportunities,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “Metuchen’s Forum Theatre is a prime example of a renewed local institution that will benefit an entire region. My thanks to Governor Murphy for his partnership and to EDA CEO Tim Sullivan for his work in implementation so we can see more success stories across the state."

“We all recognize that revitalizing the Forum Theatre would provide an overwhelming boost to the Borough’s flourishing arts scene.” said Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch. “Investment opportunities like these are catalysts for broader economic development in communities throughout New Jersey because they help attract visitors and businesses to places like Metuchen.”

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Historic $20 Billion in Awards to Expand Access to Clean Energy and Climate Solutions and Lower Energy Costs for Communities Across the Nation

April 04, 2024

Vice President Harris and Administrator Regan to visit Charlotte, North Carolina to announce selectees under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

First-of-its-kind national network to fund tens of thousands of climate and clean energy projects across America, especially in communities historically left behind and overburdened by pollution

Washington, D.C - Today, Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan will announce selections for $20 billion in awards to stand up a national financing network that will fund tens of thousands of climate and clean energy projects across the country, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This investment is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, afirst-of-its-kind and national-scale $27 billion program funded through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to combat the climate crisis by catalyzing public and private capital for projects that slash harmful climate pollution, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and create good-paying jobs. This program will ensure communities across the country have access to the capital they need to participate in and benefit from a cleaner, more sustainable economy.

Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan will be joined by Governor Roy Cooper, Mayor Vi Lyles, and Congresswoman Alma Adams to announce the selections under these two grant competitions in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This historic investment will support a wide range of climate and clean energy projects, including distributed clean power generation and storage, net-zero retrofits of homes and small businesses, and zero-emission transportation, all of which can lower energy costs for families and improve housing affordability while tackling the climate crisis. Collectively, the selected applicants have committed to reducing or avoiding up to 40 million metric tons of carbon pollution annually over the next seven years, contributing toward the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic climate goals. In addition, selectees plan to mobilize almost $ 7 of private capital for every $1 of federal funds—approximately $150 billion total—ensuring that today’s awards will have a catalytic, ongoing effect on the deployment of climate and clean energy technologies at scale, particularly in underserved communities.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets the goal that 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal climate, clean energy, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. At least70% of the funds announced today—over $14 billion of capital—will be invested in low-income and disadvantaged communities, including historic energy communities that have powered our nation for over a century, communities with environmental justice concerns, communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, Tribal communities, and more. This makes the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund the single largest non-tax investment within the Inflation Reduction Act to build a clean energy economy while benefiting communities historically left behind.

Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are already attempting to roll back these historic investments. Last month, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1023, which would repeal the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. On March 19, President Biden issued a Statement of Administration Policy with his intent to veto that bill if it were to pass the Senate and come to his desk.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Selectees

The $20 billion in awards announced today will be deployed through eight selected applicants across two separate and complementary programs under EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund—the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA). Together, the two programs will create a first-of-its-kind national network of mission-driven, community-led financial institutions that will finance climate and clean energy projects across the country, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Under the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), selected applicants will partner with the private sector, community organizations, and others to provide accessible, affordable financing for new clean technology projects nationwide. While EPA required that at least 40 percent of NCIF funds flow to low-income and disadvantaged communities, each selected applicant significantly surpassed that requirement. Therefore, almost 60 percent of NCIF funds will flow to the communities that need it most. The three NCIF selectees are:

Climate United Fund ($6.97 billion award), a nonprofit formed by Calvert Impact to partner with two U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Self-Help Ventures Fund and Community Preservation Corporation. Together, these three nonprofit financial institutions bring a decades-long track record of successfully raising and deploying $30 billion in capital with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. Climate United Fund’s program will focus on investing in harder-to-reach market segments like consumers, small businesses, small farms, community facilities, and schools—with at least 60% of its investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities, 20% in rural communities, and 10% in Tribal communities.

Coalition for Green Capital ($5 billion award), a nonprofit with almost 15 years of experience helping establish and work with dozens of state, local, and nonprofit green banks that have already catalyzed $20 billion into qualified projects—and that have a pipeline of $30 billion of demand for green bank capital that could be coupled with more than twice that in private investment. The Coalition for Green Capital’s program will have particular emphasis on public-private investing and will leverage the existing and growing national network of green banks as a key distribution channel for investment—with at least 50% of investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Power Forward Communities ($2 billion award), a nonprofit coalition formed by five of the country’s most trusted housing, climate, and community investment groups that is dedicated to decarbonizing and transforming American housing to save homeowners and renters money, reinvest in communities, and tackle the climate crisis. The coalition members—Enterprise Community Partners, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), Rewiring America, Habitat for Humanity, and United Way—will draw on their decades of experience, which includes deploying over $100 billion in community-based initiatives and investments, to build and lead a national financing program providing customized and affordable solutions for single-family and multi-family housing owners and developers—with at least 75% of investments in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Through the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), selected applicants will establish hubs that provide funding and technical assistance to community lenders working to finance clean technology projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities—leading to near-term deployment of climate and clean energy projects while building the capacity of community lenders to finance projects at scale for years to come. 100 percent of CCIA funds will flow to low-income and disadvantaged communities. The five selectees of the CCIA are:

Opportunity Finance Network ($2.29 billion award), a ~40-year-old nonprofit CDFI Intermediary that provides capital and capacity building for a national network of 400+ community lenders—predominantly U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI Loan Funds—which collectively hold $42 billion in assets and serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories.

Inclusiv ($1.87 billion award), a ~50-year-old nonprofit CDFI Intermediary that provides capital and capacity building for a national network of 900+ mission-driven, regulated credit unions—which include CDFIs and financial cooperatives in Puerto Rico—that collectively manage $330 billion in assets and serve 23 million individuals across the country.

Native CDFI Network ($400 million award), a nonprofit that serves as national voice and advocate for the 60+ U.S. Treasury-certified Native CDFIs, which have a presence in 27 states across rural reservation communities as well as urban communities and have a mission to address capital access challenges in Native communities.

Justice Climate Fund ($940 million award), a purpose-built nonprofit supported by an existing ecosystem of coalition members, a national network of more than 1,200 community lenders, and ImpactAssets—an experienced nonprofit with $3 billion under management—to provide responsible, clean energy-focused capital and capacity building to community lenders across the country.

Appalachian Community Capital ($500 million award), a nonprofit CDFI with a decade of experience working with community leaders in Appalachian communities, which is launching the Green Bank for Rural America to deliver clean capital and capacity building assistance to hundreds of community lenders working in coal, energy, underserved rural, and Tribal communities across the United States.

Expanding Access to Clean Energy

Today’s historic Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund announcement builds on a range of innovative tools and programs in President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that aim to empower the communities that can benefit most from new investments to take an active role in building the clean energy economy. These programs leverage a range of approaches to make it easier and more affordable for states, cities, Tribes, schools, nonprofit organizations, and businesses of all sizes to build, own, and benefit from cost-saving clean energy projects, invest in energy efficiency improvements, expand access to clean transportation, and participate fully in decisions that affect underserved communities and populations.

For example:

In March, the Treasury Department finalized rules for direct pay—a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that enables, for the first time, tax-exempt entities like states, cities, Tribes, counties, territories, nonprofit organizations, public schools, hospitals, rural electric co-operatives, and more to access clean energy tax credits and fully participate in building and owning new clean energy projects. For example:

To meet its goal of 100% carbon free operations by 2030, the City of Madison, Wisconsin is planning to access $13 million via direct pay to support transitioning their municipal fleet to low and no-carbon vehicles, as well as for solar and geothermal energy projects.

The City of San Antonio, Texas is taking advantage of direct pay to build and own the largest municipal onsite solar project in Texas. This $30 million project will install roof top, parking, and park canopy solar photovoltaic systems at 42 city facilities to lower their energy costs and energy consumption and make progress toward their goal of achieving net-zero energy for all municipal buildings by 2040.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s transferability provision allows businesses to transfer all or a portion of certain clean energy tax credits to a third-party in exchange for cash, so that small businesses, start-ups, and other entities without sufficient tax liability may still take advantage of the credits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has already registered more than 45,000 new projects seeking to benefit from this new tool, which is lowering financing costs for clean energy projects and helping accelerate the buildout of the clean energy economy.

The Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit program created by the Inflation Reduction Act promotes cost-saving clean energy investments in low-income communities, on Tribal lands, as part of affordable housing developments, and that benefit low-income households by providing a 10 to 20 percentage point bonus credit for up to 1.8 GW of small clean energy projects per year. In the first year of the program, the administration received more than 46,000 applications for allocations, signaling robust market demand to build projects serving low-income communities. The second year of the program will open for applications later this spring.

In March, the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) offered its first conditional commitment through the Tribal Energy Financing Program, which was expanded and provided new loan authority by the Inflation Reduction Act to support tribal entities in building out energy infrastructure. LPO announced up to $72.8 million for a partial loan guarantee to finance the development of a solar-plus long-duration energy storage microgrid on the Tribal lands of the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians near Alpine, California.

Last week, LPO offered its first conditional commitment through the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Program under Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Section 1706, first authorized and appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act, to finance projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace energy infrastructure that has ceased operations or enable operating energy infrastructure to reduce pollution. These projects direct new investment in historical energy communities that have powered our nation for over a century. Last week’s offer of a conditional commitment of up to $1.52 billion for a loan guarantee to Holtec Palisades will finance the restoration and resumption of service of an 800-MW electric nuclear generating station in Covert Township, Michigan that closed in May 2022 and upgrade it to produce baseload clean power for decades to come.

Last week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Todman traveled to Chicago to announce that the Department has now awarded more than half of the nearly $1 billion provided through the Inflation Reduction Act to make homes more energy-efficient, comfortable, and climate resilient for low-income Americans. The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program makes grants and loans to finance energy and climate renovations in HUD-assisted multifamily housing for low-income individuals, families, and seniors.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested more than $1.8 billion through their Rural Energy for America Program, which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding for rural small businesses and agricultural producers to adopt clean energy and save money. President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act invests more than $2 billion to expand this program, and USDA just announced the latest tranche of over $120 million in awards for projects in 44 states last week.

In December 2023, EPA announced 11 grant makers to receive $600 million from the Inflation Reduction Act through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program to offer subgrants for environmental justice projects to local community-based organizations around the country. This new program is designed to make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding and responds to feedback about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to benefit underserved communities.

In November 2023, EPA announced approximately $2 billion in funding available to support community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. The Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental justice going directly to communities in history, and will advance collaborative efforts to achieve a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for all.

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