Groundwork Cincinnati

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The City of Cincinnati OH, was selected for the Groundwork USA program through a competitive RFP process, Grants.gov # NPS-10WASO-0001. The city has received funding from the EPA Brownfields Program, a prerequisite of the program. To build on their commitment to improve green space opportunities and reclaim brownfields for community benefit and economic redevelopment, the City and the Mill Creek Restoration Project convened the Groundwork Cincinnati Steering Committee representing citizens, neighborhood groups, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups and the city to evaluate the Groundwork model for Cincinnati OH. Based on that evaluation and the completion of a Groundwork Cincinnati Feasibility Study and Strategic Plan, the City, the Mill Creek Restoration Project, NPS, EPA and the GW Cincinnati Steering Committee deemed the Groundwork model to be appropriate and endorsed the establishment of Groundwork Cincinnati (GWC) as a nonprofit organization designated by the Internal Revenue Service under its 501 c 3 regulations. Based on the recommendations of the Feasibility Study, the Mill Creek Restoration Project would become Groundwork Cincinnati – Mill Creek. Working in partnership with NPS, the GW Cincinnati Steering Committee and the City, the Mill Creek Restoration Project has now become Groundwork Cincinnati – Mill Creek as a nonprofit organization and projects and programs have been initiated to achieve the goals of the Feasibility Study. Funding will be provided through separate task agreements by NPS from the EPA – NPS Interagency Agreement to support the further development of GWC. The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program of NPS will provide technical assistance and direction to GWC on the development of Groundwork Cincinnati and its work to improve and care for parkland, recreation areas, nature reserves, trail systems and other green space amenities, to develop conservation and environmental stewardship ethics in local communities, especially youth, and to support the reuse of Brownfields and other derelict lands for community benefit. Objective - The specific purpose of the Interagency Agreement is to support the establishment of local Groundwork organizations in Brownfield communities to improve their environment, economy and quality of life through community-based environmental improvement activities. The objective of this cooperative agreement is to support the development of Groundwork Cincinnati – Mill Creek and its projects and programs that facilitate community led conservation and stewardship of parks, natural areas and other public lands, brownfield remediation and green space improvements.

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