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Rep. Sykes Welcomes $500,000 EPA Grant for Job Training and Cleanup in Akron and Northeast Ohio
U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) is celebrating a big win for Akron and Northeast Ohio. She announced a $500,000 federal grant will train local residents for environmental cleanup jobs while helping bring new life to old, contaminated sites.
The grant comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will go to the Summit and Medina Workforce Area Council of Governments. The program will train 40 participants and aims to place at least 30 into good-paying jobs in fields like asbestos abatement, lead paint remediation, radon mitigation, and vapor intrusion management.
“This grant is about creating real opportunities for our community,” said Rep. Sykes. “It gives people the skills they need to get good jobs and helps turn old, neglected sites into spaces that benefit everyone. This is a win for workers, neighborhoods, and our local economy. I will continue fighting to bring federal dollars back to Ohio’s 13th Congressional District to ensure members of our community have the skills they need to compete in today’s in-demand fields.”
“The Summit and Medina Workforce Area Council of Governments (“SAMWA COG”), which is the governing body for the public workforce system in Summit and Medina Counties, is thrilled to have received notice of an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) for implementation of a Brownfields Workforce Initiative. The five-year initiative involves development of a brownfields job training program for 40 residents to become certified and employed with in-demand jobs that support remediation efforts within the construction industry,” said Christine Marshall, Executive Director of the Summit and Medina Workforce Area Council of Governments.
“The construction industry is considered by the State of Ohio as a critical employment sector. This grant complements the recent award by the U.S. EPA of a Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant to the County of Summit in 2025,” she continued. “As areas of Brownfields are identified by the County of Summit, having a trained workforce with remediation expertise made possible through SAMWA COG’s Brownfields job training efforts are vital to our economic growth and helps strengthen our communities. As a cross-sector collaborative, local governments, chambers, employers, training partners, and non-profits have pledged their support to this training initiative.”
The program also prioritizes veterans and people who were formerly incarcerated, expanding access to life-changing career opportunities. Rep. Sykes said the grant shows how federal investments can make a tangible difference, strengthening communities, growing local economies, and preparing residents for in-demand careers right here at home.
