U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 - 11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

Contact Information: Shannan Beisser, beisser.shannan@epa.gov, 816-520-1949

LENEXA, KAN. (MAY 29, 2024) – On Tuesday, May 28, as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, EPA Region 7 hosted an in-person Regional Roadshow in Kansas City, Missouri, designed to connect communities with federal funding opportunities.

EPA’s Regional Roadshows are held throughout the country and designed to help communities nationwide navigate EPA’s Inflation Reduction Act investments and other funding opportunities made available by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.

These regional events provide community leaders with unique opportunities to engage with their peers; develop or leverage community-based partnerships; and learn how to effectively access funding and technical assistance to implement local climate and environmental justice solutions.

The Heartland Environmental Justice Center supported the Kansas City, Missouri, roadshow. As an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, the Heartland Environmental Justice Center is a first-stop resource for communities seeking help with pressing environmental justice and energy equity challenges. They offer no-cost, customized support to strengthen communities’ ability to identify challenges, plan and implement solutions, and work toward achieving their community goals.

“This event is about connecting people and resources,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “By providing information and support directly to those engaged in environmental justice work, EPA Region 7 is ensuring our communities have the tools and resources they need to create a cleaner and healthier environment across the Heartland."

“Our Regional Roadshows serve as vital bridges, connecting frontline communities to the technical assistance resources and the once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunities made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Alejandra Nunez, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Office of Air and Radiation. “In Kansas City and beyond, we’re empowering community leaders to access funding, forge partnerships, and champion environmental justice.”

“EPA’s Regional Roadshow is critical in helping communities connect with each other and learn how to access unprecedented EPA resources to advance environmental justice.” said Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. “We are so thankful that the communities across the Heartland have allowed us to share more about EPA’s opportunities.”

"This event provided a rare chance to meet face to face with representatives from grassroots and community-based organizations in the Kansas City area," said Jeff Severin, senior program manager at the Heartland Environmental Justice Center. "Gaining firsthand insight into the challenges that frontline communities encounter is a crucial first step for our team to offer tailored support and to help connect communities with new partnerships and funding opportunities."

Through this initiative, EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights are providing spaces for communities to develop new or deeper community-based partnerships. Regional Roadshow attendees learn about historic funding and technical assistance through programming that is designed to be especially helpful for overburdened communities. These events will help them confront the climate crisis and advance environmental justice locally as they learn, connect, and cultivate ideas on how to access these extraordinary resources.

Upcoming Regional Roadshow Events and Community, Equity & Resiliency Resources 

To learn more about the Community, Equity & Resiliency initiative, watch the Virtual Open House panel discussions and fireside chats, access resources to help communities, and register for upcoming events, visit EPA’s Community, Equity & Resiliency webpage.

# # #

Learn more about EPA Region 7