August/September Business View Magazine

172 173 Benforado: “At EPA, the Office of Community Revitalization supports locally-led, communi- ty-driven efforts to protect the environment, expand economic opportunity, and revitalize neighborhoods. Since 2005, EPA’s technical as- sistance has helped hundreds of communities identify and implement strategies to achieve local priorities. One specific example is a set of grants that uses local food enterprises to support community revitalization– through a program called Local Foods, Local Places. In 2018, EPA and other partners (U.S. Department of Agricul- ture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Delta Regional Authority) helped 16 communities revitalize downtowns, boost local economies, improve public health, and protect the environment through local food enterprises. This program helps communities reinvest in their neighborhoods and improve quality of life as they develop the local food economy. Since the THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY program launched in 2014, 78 communities have developed farmers markets, community gardens, and cooperative grocery stores that improve envi- ronmental, economic, and health outcomes.” BVM: What does the landscape look like for the private sector over the coming decade? How will the EPA continue to help it protect the environ- ment? Benforado: “EPA and state and tribal partners are looking for new ways to engage the public and create incentives for the private sector in environmental problem solving. EPA is very inter- ested in working with the private sector on envi- ronmental technology innovation, including con- tinuing work on cheaper air and water sensors. EPA uses Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) to form research partner- ships with external parties, including companies. EPA has been a leader in using challenges and