EPA highlights $20 million award for the Clean Water is Safe Water Community Initiative in North Carolina

EPA highlights $20 million award for the Clean Water is Safe Water Community Initiative in North Carolina

December 12, 2024

Supply, N.C. (December 12, 2024) - Today, Ramon Torres, the Director of the Environmental Justice, Community Health and Environmental Review Division in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Southeast Regional Office, hostedan event in Supply, NC. The media event was held to announce and celebrate a Community Change Grant Award for The Working Lands Trust, Inc., and their statutory partner, Democracy Green.

The nearly $20 million grant announced today will assist the unincorporated communities in Supply, Ash, and Longwood within the Gullah Geechee corridor of Brunswick County, North Carolina in their efforts to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and remove contaminants from local watersheds. The project will involve the removal of lead pipes from homes and communities, as well as investments in nature-based solutions to restore wetlands, enhance natural water filtration, reduce flooding impacts, and support biodiversity, creating a more resilient watershed and environment.

"EPA is gratified to be able to award this funding to the Supply, Ash, and Longwood communities in Brunswick County," said Ramon Torres, Director of the Environmental Justice, Community Health and Environmental Review Division in EPA's Southeast Regional Office. "This project focuses on removal and replacement of lead pipes from the drinking water system and restoring a local wetland system in historically marginalized communities of color, comprising individuals of Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic descent."

The grant is being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provides funding for environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments are focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input.

"I'm excited to see that Democracy Green and their partners, the Working Lands Trust, have been selected for the USEPA's Community Change Grant," said Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13). "This investment, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, will fund efforts to improve water quality, remove contaminants from local watersheds, and support nature-based solutions for wetland restoration in frontline communities across eastern North Carolina. I look forward to seeing the transformative impact that this project will have on pollution, flooding, and community climate resilience in the region for years to come."

"These areas of Brunswick County that are unincorporated in the Gullah-Geechee corridor of the county can benefit greatly from EPA grants such as this. They don't have their own tax base, as the municipalities do. These areas are also far enough from the coast that they don't really benefit from the tourist activity and spending associated with our beach communities," said Representative Frank Iler (District 17 - Brunswick County). "This assistance with infrastructure and water systems will be well utilized in these parts of our county."

"Brunswick County is very pleased that the EPA has awarded funding for these initiatives that will benefit hundreds of families and our county for years to come," said Mike Forte, Brunswick County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. "Grant opportunities like these are a unique way to address the pressing challenges our community faces without burdening our residents, customers, and property owners with additional expenses. We commend these two nonprofits for their efforts and look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition thanks to this EPA grant."

"Our rural people and communities are the backbone of the nation's agricultural, cultural, and natural heritage, and their well-being is intrinsically linked to the overall health and resilience of society. Eastern North Carolina has long suffered from underinvestment and disinvestment, and the region's rural communities, especially, need our support now more than ever," said Mikey Fulk, Executive Director of the Working Lands Trust. "Working Lands Trust is honored to work alongside Democracy Green and be a part of the solution to protect and strengthen these communities and the lands and waters that connect us all. This investment in Brunswick County's communities is an investment in clean water for all of us, and it will create stronger, more resilient communities, reduce inequality, and provide long-term sustainability for both rural and urban people and landscapes. We are honored to be of service in this pivotal project."

"As we stand on the brink of transformative change for our communities, this grant from the U.S. EPA represents not just funding, but a profound commitment to justice, resilience, and sustainability. At Democracy Green, we are dedicated to empowering the voices of rural and unincorporated communities. This initiative will not only restore vital ecosystems and improve water quality but will also dismantle barriers that have long hindered our communities. We are grateful to partner with The Working Lands Trust, who will provide essential administrative support for this grant, allowing us to focus on implementing these transformative programs," said Sanja Whittington, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Democracy Green. "Together, we are excited to lead efforts that prioritize equity, foster collaboration, and ultimately create a healthier environment for generations to come. This is a pivotal moment for our communities, and we are ready to make lasting change."

Learn more about EPA's Community Change Grants Programfunded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Learn more about The Working Lands Trustand Democracy Green.

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