BOSTON – Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles announced last week that clean-energy companies, community-based nonprofits, educational institutions and labor organizations are among those eligible for $1 million in “green collar” job training grants.

The grants are available through Bowles’ department’s Pathways out of Poverty Program, which was created when Gov. Deval L. Patrick signed the Massachusetts Green Jobs Act in August. The money is intended to jump-start training in clean-energy careers for low- and moderate-income residents.

Bowles said Energy and Environmental Affairs will award five grants, ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 each, to programs that serve workers with incomes at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. The grants will target programs in the “Gateway Communities” of Brockton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester – former mill cities that continue to provide first homes and first jobs for new immigrants.

Grant applications are due to the department by Jan. 15, for programs that are expected to begin in February and last through June 2010.

Source: Posted Dec 13, 2008

Providence Business News