Georgia Nonprofit Receives Grant to Produce Environmental Justice Documentary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today awarded $50,000 to the Hyde & Aragon Park Improvement Committee, Inc., a non-profit organization in Richmond, Ga., to create a documentary and host a town hall forum on environmental issues that the Hyde Park community faces.

The award is part of EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program, which supports environmental and public health improvements in low-income communities around the nation. Since 1994, the EPA has provided over $31 million in funding to more than 1,100 community-based organizations. The Hyde & Aragon Park Improvement Committee’s project is one of 20 selected nationally to receive a total of $1 million this year.

“EPA’s environmental justice grants support communities that need the most help in addressing their environmental and health concerns,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Jimmy Palmer. “This assistance will support local solutions to local problems.”

Through the grant, the Hyde & Aragon Park Improvement Committee aims to inform, educate and empower the community on the environmental issues. The one-hour documentary video will describe the numerous environmental and public health issues confronting Hyde Park, including water quality and outdoor air quality impairment, solid waste problems and environmental injustice. Potential remedies to resolve environmental and health issues will be explored, including resources available from local, state and federal agencies and the private sector. A town hall meeting will also be hosted in which community residents can have a meaningful dialogue with government officials about eliminating environmental contamination in Hyde Park.

“This project will empower the community to tell their story and hopefully spark interest among local, state and federal leaders to improve the environment and quality of life in Hyde Park,” said Heather Valentine, the executive administrator of the Hyde & Aragon Park Improvement Committee.

Financial assistance under the Environmental Justice Small Grants program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. The purpose of the funding is to assist affected communities so that they can develop proactive, strategic, and visionary approaches to achieve community health and sustainability. The other projects announced today are designed to address environmental and public health issues such as exposure to toxins, fish consumption, indoor air quality, drinking water contamination and pollution from shipping ports.