SSDN Environmental Finance Center (EFC)

EPA began the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) program in 1992 to preserve the environmental progress made over the past fifty years and to expand the reach of federal funding opportunities for sustainability projects. However, despite considerable progress made, EPA recognizes many communities, especially those most at risk for climate hazards, have had difficulty accessing funding. Environmental Finance Centers exist to help communities navigate the complex world of federal funding. Moreover, EFCs seek to maximize the positive benefit of the more than $50 billion for water infrastructure projects made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) with an emphasis on underserved and disadvantaged communities.

SSDN has more than 10 years of experience supporting local communities in advancing sustainability and environmental best practices across the South. As a selected Multimedia Environmental Finance Center for EPA Region 4, SSDN will work with communities to advance their environmental goals by strengthening the capacity of decision makers to assess needs, develop effective financing methods, and catalyze action. SSDN’s Multimedia Environmental Finance Center (EFC) advances finance solutions to environmental challenges for communities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee (EPA Region 4).

SSDN’s EFC equips communities with the knowledge and tools they need to create more sustainable environments, more resilient societies, and more robust economies. Through outreach, direct technical assistance, capacity building, and policy analysis, SSDN’s EFC equips communities with the knowledge and tools they need to create more sustainable environments, more resilient societies, and more robust economies. SSDN’s EFC serves local governments, community based organizations, state agencies, and other partners.