WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) applauded a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. The grant will fund training and job placement for 40 underemployed and unemployed Waterbury residents for jobs in environmental fields related to brownfields hazardous waste assessment and cleanup. The training program will include 200 hours of instruction in asbestos removal, lead abatement, and construction safety and will help the workers secure full-time, sustainable employment.

“This new funding will put dozens of hardworking Waterbury residents back to work and transform old industrial sites across town for even more economic growth,” said the members of Congress. “The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board has a strong, nationally-recognized track record in training and preparing individuals to excel in new careers, and we’re excited to see this funding open doors to well-paid, stable careers for Waterbury residents.”

“We are pleased and excited to again be awarded another round of funding from the U.S. EPA brownfield training grant,” said Cathy Awwad, Executive Director of the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. “The City of Waterbury and the surrounding area is host to a number of these brownfield sites. The opportunity for local residents to train and earn a living wage remediating these contaminated areas within their city limits is an added benefit to the economic revitalization of these sites.”

Participants who complete the training will earn four state certifications and five federal certifications. The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board is partnering with the Waterbury Development Corporation, Walnut-Orange Walsh Neighborhood Association, Waterbury Adult Continuing Education, New Opportunities Inc., LaRosa Building Group, and Police Activity League of Waterbury.