to learn more about the GWUSA Brownfields TA Program

Welcome to Groundwork USA’s
Brownfields Technical Assistance Program
and Community of Practice!
Working together to Advance Equitable Development and Environmental Justice in Communities Nationwide
Purpose of the Program
Groundwork USA’s Brownfields Technical Assistance
(TA) program is designed to help communities integrate
environmental justice and equitable development best
practices into their brownfields redevelopment planning.
Through this program, like-minded communities and
practitioners across the country can join others in a
community of practice where they can receive peer
support and access to tools, workshops, and thought
partners. Direct TA requests can cover a range of topic
areas, including: support for the transition from planning
to implementation in brownfield redevelopment projects;
development of outreach, partnership and responsive
community benefit strategies; all aimed at delivering
environmental justice and equitable development
outcomes.
This five-year program is made possible by grant funding
from the EPA Brownfields program.
How Can Groundwork USA Help
My Community?
For the past 15 years, Groundwork USA’s practitioners have
been leading brownfield transformations for community
benefit, with an emphasis on meaningful engagement of
oft-marginalized residents and stakeholders in land use
and brownfield redevelopment planning. Groundwork
practitioners have extensive experience developing strategic
roadmaps and identifying implementation steps that build
momentum.
Groundwork practitioners can help communities:
•
Foster communication, shared vision and
alignment of goals toward community revitalization among an array of unlikely
partners.
•
Engage historically marginalized populations.
•
Do inclusive, stakeholder-driven planning
focused on tangible outcomes that respond
to community needs.
•
Transition successfully from planning to
implementation.
•
Identify and implement short-term actions
that achieve both tangible, near-term results
(i.e., increased access to open space) and
meaningful, longer-term gains (i.e., improved
health, increased green job opportunities, improved local capacity to pursue an inclusive
economic development agenda, etc.).
Who provides the technical assistance?
The Groundwork USA technical assistance team is made
up of Groundwork USA staff and experienced practitioners
from the Groundwork USA network and beyond. Additional
specialized expertise and support for customized technical
assistance may be retained on a case-by-case basis as
individual community needs become clear. Our team
includes TDA (Training Development Associates), which
provides services in such areas as affordable housing
development and financing. Everyone on our team
brings a practical, results-based approach to helping local
government, community organizations and their leaders to
achieve their equitable development goals.
How can my community get assistance?
Please contact Kate O’Brien or Tangier Barnes for a brief
needs assessment.
Kate O’Brien
kate@groundworkusa.org
Tangier Barnes
tangier@groundworkusa.org
Groundwork USA is a network of local organizations
devoted to transforming the natural and built
environment of low-income, weak market communities;
a national enterprise with local roots, working at the
intersection of the environment, poverty, and civic
engagement.
Local Groundwork organizations, called “Trusts,”
transform neglected and contaminated land and
waterways into community assets, increasing
environmental, social and economic well-being while
building community capacity and increasing access to
opportunity for all.
While priority for Groundwork USA’s technical assistance
services will be given to EPA Brownfield grantee communities,
all communities in the United States and its territories are
eligible to participate.
By engaging residents, youth, businesses, and
government in partnerships, and leading inclusive
visioning and planning processes, local stakeholders
in Groundwork communities can collectively identify
existing assets, align their visions and goals, and identify
a path forward.
Groundwork helps transform brownfield liabilities into
assets as part of a broader process of creating healthy,
resilient communities for all regardless
of income.