Healthy Communities Grants go to 12 projects in New England

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced 12 Healthy Communities Grants totaling more than $270,500 that will go toward community projects improving public and environmental health across New England.

"EPA is very proud to provide much-needed funding to so many deserving projects in communities throughout New England states," EPA New England Regional Administrator Curt Spalding said. "Our Healthy Communities Grants make a real difference advancing local projects that result in a cleaner environment that benefits people's lives."

Massachusetts leads the New England states with five organizations earning grants, including a combined $50,000 for Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health and Health Resources in Action’s Asthma Regional Council, which will complete projects to improve environmental conditions of people with asthma.

Connecticut and Rhode Island both garnered two grants each, including $20,000 for a project to reduce food waste in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and more than $16,000 for Rhode Island’s Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council to connect urban communities to their natural surroundings.

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont all garnered one grant each, all for $25,000, for projects providing environmental stewardship education for tribal youth, in-home assessments for hazardous materials, and education about stormwater management.